The Nigeria Customs Service (NSC) has launched a strategic anti-smuggling operation in response to the critical challenges of food security and the soaring costs of essential food items in Nigeria.
The development followed a revelation by the federal government, of no fewer than 32 routes used for smuggling food out of the shores of the country.
The Comptroller General of Customs, (CGC) Bashir Adeniyi, on Tuesday, revealed that the anti-smuggling operation was given the federal government’s food security agenda.
President Bola Tinubu, during the electioneering, pledged to ensure sufficient food and guarantee food security. He planned to cultivate 500,000 hectares of farmland across the country, to facilitate the production of maize, rice, wheat, and other crops.
The Customs boss also revealed plans to directly disburse food items, hitherto seized by the federal government, to Nigerians.
Adeniyi said, “In line with this vision, the service has launched a strategic anti-smuggling operation and public engagement in its commitment to prevent the unlawful exportation of vital food resources for individual economic gains.
“This urgent imperative fuels the need for a proactive stance to safeguard food availability within our nation and alleviate the detrimental effects of scarcity on citizens.
“Furthermore, to alleviate the hardships faced by Nigerians and improve access to essential food items, the Nigeria Customs Service will facilitate the direct disposal of food items forfeited to the Federal Government.”
These items, according to the Customs will be certified fit for consumption by relevant agencies and made available to “ordinary Nigerians” nationwide through equitable distribution in our Areas of Operations.
The Service said the modalities for the disposal will be communicated through NCS formations nationwide, with a firm commitment to transparency, fairness, and public safety.
Adeniyi further expressed hope that the operation will be managed diligently to ensure that the benefits reach those most in need.
“The NCS remains resolute in its dedication to safeguarding the nation’s food security and advancing the economic well-being of all Nigerians.
“With the unwavering support and cooperation of the public, we will surmount these challenges and pave the way for a more prosperous future for our beloved nation,” Adeniyi said.
The federal government is currently battling to provide more food for the citizens who have been hit by the hike in food prices since the removal of the petroleum subsidy in May 2023.
In July 2023, the president declared a “State of Emergency” on food insecurity in the country, an aggressive move aimed to boost agricultural productivity and reduce the high prices of major staple foods in Nigeria.
In the subsequent weeks, the federal government announced plans to release N200 billion to farmers to cultivate rice, maize, cassava, and wheat.
By September that same year, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari announced that farmers would receive 33,000 metric tonnes of raw granular potash, to be used as fertilisers.
Despite these programmes, there has been no appropriate mechanism for monitoring and evaluation as the federal government blamed flooding, erosion, naira redesign policy, and inflation for the rising food prices In Nigeria.
Nigeria’s inflation rate has risen to a record 29.90 per cent in January, principally driven by the high cost of food and non-alcoholic beverages, the National Bureau of Statistics has said.
FOOD SECURITY: Customs Launch Anti-Smuggling Operation, Begin Distribution Of Seized Food Items is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
