The Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Col. Hameed Ali (rtd), has coordinated a limitation on the exit of rice from the Free Trade Zones (FTZ) into the nation's market as Customs handled smuggling through the land borders.
Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) representative, Mr. Joseph Attah, in a meeting with the Daily Trust additionally said for this present year, Customs seized 136,506 50kg sacks of rice. "Over the last one year, we have made a seizure of 250,825 sacks with an Duty Paid Value (DPV) of over N1 billion on simply rice alone. Once more, over the most recent three months alone, the Compliance Group drove by Assistant Controller of Customs, Musa Jalo, made a seizure of 921 sacks," he revealed.
The Daily Trust reports that the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA) endorsed 32 of such zones where imported items can be reproduced, repackaged and exported. While 14 are operational, 18 are under construction or yet to be developed, data from NEPZA site shows. A portion of the operational zones include, Lagos Free Trade Zone (LFTZ), Banki Border Free Zone (BBFZ) - Calabar Free Trade Zone (CFTZ), and Kano Free Trade Zone (KFTZ).
Attah who censured smuggling activities said individuals must consider it as a national crime, while at the same time encouraging rice mill operators and different partners to give more insight on smugglers' activities, stop patronizing smuggled items, and help Customs men in arresting offenders.
