Nigeria: Customs Pushes for Total Ban On Rice Importation From 2017

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is advocating a total ban on rice importation into Nigeria from 2017.

The Customs also reaffirmed that importation of rice remains banned through the land borders, although rice imports through the ports are still allowed subject to payment of extant tariffs.

The NCS in a statement yesterday by its Public Relations Officer, Deputy-Comptroller Wale Adeniyi, said the Customs is confident that Nigerian rice producers will fill the existing gaps in the supply of the product by next year.

He, however, dispelled the rumour that Customs has reversed the ban on rice importation through the land borders.

He said: "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," he said.

He noted that the false publications that resurfaced this weekend were being attributed to a press interview granted in October 2015.

"We strongly suspect that some powerful forces behind rice smuggling are at work, 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," he said.