Economy

Palliative: Customs Begins Sale of 25kg Rice for N10,000

By Web News 1187

The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, will today commence the sale of seized bags of rice to the public at the rate of N10,000 per 25kg .

Disclosing this to newsmen in Lagos, Comptroller General of the NCS, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, said the process for the sale of the food items has been perfected such that a form with all the details of the applicant including the National Identification Number, NIN, will be submitted and a bar code will be generated for the collection of the commodity.

Adeniyi stated that ten registration points will be opened for members of the public with a view to easing the purchase process.


The Customs boss said that the moves to sell the seized items is to crash the price of food items and the shore up the value of the Naira.


He warned against the resale of purchased rice adding anybody caught reselling will be arrested and possibly prosecuted.


He explained that the disposal of these seized items will be for a period of time adding that very poor Nigerians were the target for this gesture.


He said, “In ensuring food security for Nigerians. We are here to shed light on the commitment of the NCS in protecting our society by ensuring the availability of essential food items.

“In recent months, the government has been addressing the challenges faced within our economy, particularly the lagged effects of insecurity and the current exchange rate issues.


“As part of our ongoing commitment to safeguarding the food security of Nigerians, the NCS has secured approval from the government to dispose of these seized food items to needy Nigerians at discounted prices.

“The criteria for Nigerians to benefit from this initiative include having a verifiable National
Identification Number (NIN).

“The target groups include artisans, teachers, nurses, religious bodies, and other Nigerians within our operational areas. The intention is to reach out directly to members through these organized structures to ensure the maximum impact of this exercise.

“To ensure the security and integrity of this initiative, NCS has put in place comprehensive measures. These measures encompass robust security protocols throughout the process. Our officers will be closely monitoring the entire supply chain to prevent any misuse or diversion of the food items.


“Moreover, we have established strict guidelines and eligibility criteria to ensure that the items are distributed only to those in genuine need. Additionally, we will be working closely with relevant agencies to ensure compliance with the terms of this program.


“It is imperative that beneficiaries of this exercise understand that the items are not to be resold. We take a strong stance against any form of profiteering or exploitation of this initiative. We urge Nigerians to report any incidents of misuse or unauthorized resale of the seized food items.

“NCS is fully committed to transparency and accountability in this process, and we will not hesitate to take decisive action against any individuals or entities found to be in violation of the
terms of this program.”


In a related development, the leadership of the NCS disclosed that the agency The challenge of food security have exacerbated concerns which has led to a concerning trend where food items are moving out massively to neighbouring countries.


He further disclosed that over 20,000 bags of assorted grains (Rice, beans, Maize, Guinea corn, millet, Soya beans, 2500 cartons and 963 bags of dried fish. Others include Dried pepper, tomatoes, cooking oil, Maggi, Macaroni, salt, sugar, garri.


“This trend is not sustainable as it puts pressure on our productive capacity and threatens our food security.

“To address this, the NCS has remained responsive in carrying out its mandate to protect our borders from the inflow and outflow of restricted goods. One concerning trend noticed is the outflow of food items in huge quantities, posing a threat to our food security. It should be noted that the condition for the export of any item is only met upon fulfilling sufficiency internally.

“In this regard, food items deemed not to fulfil these conditions are showing up in our interceptions made at the borders. We will continue to advance the nation’s goals and objectives by aligning with the administration’s policies and aspirations for a prosperous Nigeria.


“NCS is dedicated to executing its duties with excellence and efficiency. Recognizing the significance of its responsibility to protect society and facilitate trade, the NCS remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding national interests and ensuring the well-being of all Nigerians.


“Furthermore, the NCS is committed to fostering a culture of transparency, accountability, and public service. By upholding the highest standards of integrity,” he stated.

Vanguard/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Economy

Abiodun Orders Supply of 100 Trailers of Subsidized Rice

By Web News 810

*To be distributed Free for the Elderly

By Abimbola Bamgbose

As part of the efforts to cushion the high cost of foodstuffs currently affecting the nation, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has ordered the supply of one hundred trailers of bags of rice for residents 

Governor Abiodun gave the order at a stakeholder’s meeting held at the June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta.

The Governor explained that the rice would be sold to the public at a subsidised rate while it would be distributed free to the elderly ones

He hinted that the state government would soon launch its E-mobility motorcycles and taxis to reduce the cost of transportation across the state

Governor Abiodun also added that the current economic situation caused by Inflation and high foreign exchange rates would soon be a thing of the past as President Bola Tinubu was working round the clock to ensure that the naira appreciated.

He pointed out that the reason for the meeting was to inform the people about the various interventions implemented by the federal and state governments towards addressing the economic imbalance in the country 

The Governor, while urging the youths to be cautious of being used to cause crisis in the country, gave an assurance that the various policies rolled out by Mr President would soon yield the desired results. 

Governor Abiodun implored opinion leaders across the state to be supportive of the renewed hope agenda of the current administration as the government at the centre is taking drastic steps to solve the economic problems 

Responding, the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo thanked President Tinubu and Governor Abiodun for being passionate about the wellbeing and welfare of Nigerians and appealed to Nigerians to be patient with the government over the current situation as things would soon improve.

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Crime

Smugglers Conceal 1,245 Rounds of Ammunition in Rice Bags

By Web News 424

By Olusegun Folarin

The Nigeria Customs Service has intercepted one thousand, two hundred and forty five rounds of live ammunition concealed in bags of rice.

The Controller of Customs, Ogun Area 1 Command, Mr Bamidele Makinde, who announced this to journalists in Abeokuta said the five vehicles conveying the ammunition, were intercepted on a bush path along the exit point of the Republic of Benin. 

Mr Makinde explained that the suspected smugglers had abandoned the vehicles and escaped through the bush around Ijoun in Yewa North Local government area of Ogun State. 

Describing the smuggled items as a threat to national security and safety of border communities, the Ogun Area 1 Customs Controller appealed to the people to provide useful information to the command in the bid to check the activities of suspected criminals. 

Mr Makinde who pointed out that the ammunitions had been deposited for safekeeping renewed the Command’s commitment to enhance safety at the nation’s borderlines with all sense of patriotism.

He added that the necessary steps were being taken uncover those behind the attempted smuggling of the items with a view to ensuring their arrest and prosecution.

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News Analysis

Increasing Investment in Large Scale Production of Rice

By Web News 651

Nigeria is one of the countries of the world blessed with green land for agriculture which her forefathers were known for.

No wonder in the southern part of the country, school pupils are made to memorize a song in Yoruba language that western education without hoe and cutlasses is not a complete education.

Previous administrations in the country had introduced various programmes such as Operation Feed the Nation, Green Revolution to boost agriculture.

The present administration is not different as it has made agriculture one of its cardinal points to prevent total reliance on foreign goods as well as to improve the nation’s economy.

The administration in its first tenure embarked on vigorous campaigns and sensitizations of the people on the need to embrace local production of crops with emphasis on rice production.

Soft loans were introduced to motivate rice farmers as well as to encourage more Nigerians to embark on rice production.

Subsequently, the Federal Government in collaboration with some states like Ebonyi, Kebbi and Lagos invested billions of naira in the production of local rice with a ban on the importation of foreign rice.

The ban on rice importation did not go down well with some Nigerians who believed that local rice were not available and that commencement of its production by few states might be insufficient to adequately feed the nation.

Commendably, the Federal Government’s determination and the bold step to commence large scale production of rice with few states and granting of soft loans to rice farmers are appreciated by Nigerians during this period of pandemic.

 More so, many have wondered how Nigerians would have survived in this period when importation of goods is impossible due to international lock down caused by Covid-19.

Now that Nigerians are appreciative of the little efforts so far in the local production of rice, the Federal Government should increase funding of the produce.

Furthermore, more states should support this laudable project by supporting local production of rice by farmers.

Corporate organisations and other wealthy individuals in the country need to see the project as a collective responsibility to revive the nation’s economy and make local rice more affordable.

The media should also join the crusade of sensitizing Nigerians through various programmes and jingles on their expected roles in rice production.

Above all, it should be realized that investment in this direction will improve the nation’s economy, increase rice availability, create jobs as well as reduce crimes often perpetrated by jobless youths.        

Aderemi Omotoso

Agriculture

FG, Ekiti Govt. Empowers Hundreds of Rice Farmers

By Web News 1154

As part of efforts to increase rice production in Ekiti State, Federal Government has empowered hundreds of rice farmers across the sixteen local government areas.

The empowerment which was supervised by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and an Insurance company took place in Igbemo Ekiti where the farmers went home with herbicides, knapsacks, sprayers and fertilizers among other incentives.

Addressing the beneficiaries, the state Chairman,  Rice farmers Association of Nigeria, RIFAN,  Mr Kolawole Rotimi explained that the input given to the farmers were not free but a loan, and charged them to use the input for the purpose meant for.

Mr kolawole appreciated Ekiti State Government for opening more land for farmers in the state, saying that such would encourage youths to venture into farming especially rice cultivation.

The executive members of RIFAN in Ekiti State had earlier paid a courtesy visit to Chief Onisara of Igbemo Ekiti where he commended the farmers for bringing back the glory of rice farming to Igbemo Ekiti. 

Chief Onisara noted that the first rice mill in the southwest was established in igbemo Ekiti in the 70’s.

One of the farmers, Mr Lanre Solaja, who thanked the Federal Government for the assistance, submitted that they were ready for mass cultivation of rice to ensure food security in Ekiti.

Niyi Aderibigbe