Nigeria Customs Service has denied reports that it has lifted the ban on land importation of rice. Dismissing the report, Wale Adeniyi, the service public relations officer, said that rice remains banned through land borders, adding that the service has the commitment of partnering government agencies and stakeholders to enforce the restriction. The service said the said interview which was referred to by some online news websites was granted in October 2015. “First, we like to reiterate the position that importation of rice remains banned through our Land Borders, and we have the commitment of Partner Government Agencies and Stakeholders to enforce this restriction. While this restriction is in force, rice imports through the ports are still allowed subject to payment of extant charges. “It is equally important to restate the confidence of the Nigeria Customs Service in the ability of Nigerian Rice Producers to fill the existing sufficiency gaps in the supply of the product. The Service has noted with satisfaction the ongoing Rice Revolution undertaken by many state governments, and Strategic Interventions by Federal Government Agencies.”
“The Service is convinced that the bumper harvests expected from these efforts will address the supply gap in 2017. It is our belief that continuous waste of scarce forex on a commodity that can be produced locally makes no economic sense, most especially at a period of recession. The Service will therefore advocate a total Ban on Rice Importation into Nigeria with effect from 2017.” Customs linked the false report to some powerful forces behind rice smuggling who are recycling an old report under a different circumstance to create confusion. “We urge Nigerians to watch out for similar antics as the firm stand on Rice smuggling will pitch their selfish interest against our national interest.” Meanwhile, following the conviction of Nigerian, Mr. Henry Okah, for terrorism by South Africa’s Supreme Court of Appeal, Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari said South Africa has projected itself an enduring partner to Nigeria in the war against terrorism.