The Nigeria
Customs Service (NCS)has re-introduced the restriction order on
importation
of rice through land borders across the country.
Customs Service (NCS)has re-introduced the restriction order on
importation
of rice through land borders across the country.
A statement on
Tuesday by the Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Mr Wale Adeniyi, said the
approval for the reversal was given by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col.
Hameed Ali (Rtd).
Tuesday by the Public Relations Officer of the NCS, Mr Wale Adeniyi, said the
approval for the reversal was given by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col.
Hameed Ali (Rtd).
It would be
recalled that the customs in an earlier policy in October 2015 allowed rice
imports through the land borders, once appropriate duty and
charges were paid.
recalled that the customs in an earlier policy in October 2015 allowed rice
imports through the land borders, once appropriate duty and
charges were paid.
However, Comptrollers of Border Commands and Federal
Operation Units had in a review in Abuja noted that dwindling revenue from rice
imports through the land borders did not match the volume of rice landed
in neighboring Ports.
Operation Units had in a review in Abuja noted that dwindling revenue from rice
imports through the land borders did not match the volume of rice landed
in neighboring Ports.
The reports from
the border commands rather indicated an upsurge in the tempo of rice smuggling.
the border commands rather indicated an upsurge in the tempo of rice smuggling.
Implementation of the restriction order got
off to a smooth start, with a high level of compliance in October 2015, however, revenue started dwindling from January 2016, with importers
blaming access to Forex as major impediments.
off to a smooth start, with a high level of compliance in October 2015, however, revenue started dwindling from January 2016, with importers
blaming access to Forex as major impediments.
The review showed
that during the five-month period when the importation was allowed, October
2015-March 17th 2016, a total of 24.992 Metric Tonnes of Rice valued at N
2, 335,131,093 billion was imported through the land borders.
that during the five-month period when the importation was allowed, October
2015-March 17th 2016, a total of 24.992 Metric Tonnes of Rice valued at N
2, 335,131,093 billion was imported through the land borders.
During the period,
total revenue generated amounted to N1,685,112,810 billion, which was considerably lower than the revenue
projected to be generated with the removal of import restrictions.
total revenue generated amounted to N1,685,112,810 billion, which was considerably lower than the revenue
projected to be generated with the removal of import restrictions.
However,
an upsurge in the number of the seizures has been reported across the land
borders since January 2016.
In the first two
months of 2016, a total of 9238 bags were seized, with Duty Paid Value of N64,666,000
was made by the Customs anti-smuggling patrol teams and all operations and
Border commands.
months of 2016, a total of 9238 bags were seized, with Duty Paid Value of N64,666,000
was made by the Customs anti-smuggling patrol teams and all operations and
Border commands.
The Comptroller-General
noted that his Officers and Men may not be totally exonerated from the abuse
associated with the implementation of the order on rice, as his office was
inundated with reports of collusion between them and rice importers.
Ali had directed
investigation into the reports, insisting that indicted
personnel
would be sanctioned.
investigation into the reports, insisting that indicted
personnel
would be sanctioned.
He said that henceforth there would be
zero-tolerance to rice imports through the land borders irrespective of
volume.
The customs boss, however, said that importers who had
already initiated import processes would have a grace period till Friday, March
25, 2016 to clear their consignments.
