The argument advanced by the RIPAN boss is very apt. Over the years, as a result of the Buhari administration’s enthusiasm for rice production, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) invested heavily in the sub-sector. The apex bank funded the multi-billion Naira Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP) for farmers, the Paddy Aggregation Scheme (PAS) for processors, and even the Commercial Agricultural Credit Scheme (CAC) which provides funds for agro-investors at a single-digit interest rate. Based on these measures, government has beaten its chest that Nigeria is self-sufficient in rice production, if not food production in general. To assert this position, government prohibited rice importation. But foreign rice still flooded the country’s markets due, largely, to complacency and complicity of security personnel.
He said the Comptroller-General of Customs, Rtd. Col.
Hameed Ali, had read the riot Act to Customs officers in commanding positions to arrest the rot.
He said the officers were directed to ensure that rice smugglers and those who dealt in smuggled rice did not have any respite.
“Last week, the Comptroller-General summoned Comptrollers operating at land borders, Commandants of Federal Operations Units and those of the Strike Force at the headquarters to do the needful on rice smuggling,’’ her said.
Attah enjoined the rice processors to share the intelligence they had with the Customs so as to check activities of rice smugglers and other prohibited items.
By Mustapha Sumaila
Abuja, Feb. 2, 2021 Rice smugglers and marketers of smuggled rice should prepare for tougher times ahead, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) warned in Abuja on Tuesday.
NCS spokesman, Mr Joseph Attah, told newsmen that the warning became necessary following complaints by the Rice Processors Association of Nigeria that the country had been flooded with smuggled rice.
He said the Comptroller-General of Customs, Rtd. Col. Hameed Ali, had read the riot Act to Customs officers in commanding positions to arrest the rot.
He said the officers were directed to ensure that rice smugglers and those who dealt in smuggled rice did not have any respite.
Renewed smuggling threatens N3 4tr Rice investment in the Processing Sub-sector - RIPAN nationalaccordnewspaper.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from nationalaccordnewspaper.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.