By Uzor Odigbo
Nigeria Customs Service has announced it’s plan to release seized food items worth N3,251,806,000 as relief materials to Nigerians to cushion the effects of the lockdown ordered by President Muhammadu Buhari to stem the spread of the ravaging Coronavirus.
Spokesman for the service, Joseph Attah, disclosed in a press statement that release of the relief materials is in compliance with a presidential directive.
Attah, a Deputy Comptroller of Customs, gave the breakdown of the items to include 158 trailers of rice in 46,000 metric tonnes; 30 trucks of vegetable oil in 36,495kegs; one truck of palm oil in 3,428kegs; 54 trucks of tomato paste in 136,705 cartons; two trucks of spaghetti and noddles in 2,951 cartons and 1,253 packets; one truck of wrappers (Ankara) in 828 bales and one truck of lace fabric in 2,300 rolls.
He added that only food items certified fit for consumption by the National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) will be released.
Attah wrote: “Reacting to the pains associated with the effects of the lockdown in some parts of the country, some Nigerians have taken to the social media to call on the Nigeria Customs Service to share seized rice and other edible items to members of the public
“While some of these calls appear well intended, others had attempted to create the impression that Customs officers have the liberty to use seized items as they deem fit. Some even mischievously impugned that the items may have already been shared to cronies.
“It is therefore necessary to explain that in line with the provision of section 167(2) of Customs and Excise Management Act CAP C45 LFN 2004, seized items upon condemnation and forfeiture to the Federal Government by a competent court of jurisdiction are kept in Government warehouses pending directives on their disposal.
“Accordingly, in compliance with the Presidential directive, the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd) has already approved the release of the relief items to boost the Federal Government continuous efforts to alleviate sufferings associated with the painful but necessary ongoing lockdown in some parts of the country
“Estimated market value of these items is N3,251,806,000 with duty paid value of N2,034,953,765. It should be noted that only edible items certified fit for human consumption by NAFDAC will be released to the public
“As a responsible agency of government, NCS appreciates the opportunity of contributing it’s quota to Federal Government’s continuous efforts to provide relief for Nigerians in this difficult time. NCS remains committed to strictly adhering to all extant laws governing seized and overtime cargoes.
“Despite the prevailing risks, the service will continue to discharge it’s functions of securing the land borders and collection of revenue that is needed during and post Covid19 pandemic period” Attah