The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has initiated a nationwide operation to crack down on the illicit export of critical food items intended for personal gain.
Chief Superintendent of Customs Abdullahi Maiwada, the national public relations officer, announced this development in a press release on Tuesday.
This move follows the recent declaration by the federal government to clamp down on food hoarders and illegal smugglers across the country.
The statement emphasized the importance of prompt and preventive measures to ensure food availability within the country and alleviate the adverse effects of shortages on citizens.
In line with this objective, the NCS pledged to facilitate the direct disposal of forfeited food items to the federal government, aiming to alleviate hardships faced by Nigerians and enhance access to essential food commodities.
Quoting the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, the statement reaffirmed the NCS’s commitment to advancing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s food security agenda.
The NCS has launched a strategic anti-smuggling operation and public engagement initiative to prevent the unlawful exportation of vital food resources for individual economic gains.
FG To Tackle Rising Cement Prices With Road Repairs, Duty Reduction
By Simon Ejoh
The federal government has unveiled plans to tackle the surging prices of cement by prioritizing road repairs and exploring strategies to reduce gas costs and import duties across the country.
This decision emerged from a meeting held between the government and leading cement producers in Abuja on Monday.
Senator David Umahi, Minister of Works, and Mrs. Doris Uzoka-Anite, Minister of Trade and Investment, alongside representatives from major cement companies including Dangote Plc, BUA Plc, and Lafarge Plc, endorsed the resolutions outlined in the communiqué.
The communiqué acknowledged the challenges faced by manufacturers, including high gas costs, elevated import duties on spare parts, inadequate road infrastructure, fluctuating foreign exchange rates, and the smuggling of cement into neighboring countries.
Key resolutions from the meeting include:
The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment will pursue solutions from President Bola Tinubu concerning gas pricing and import duties.
The Federal Ministry of Works will intensify road maintenance efforts, particularly near manufacturing sites.
The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment will collaborate with the National Security Adviser to develop strategies for curbing cement smuggling.
Measures will be taken to address abnormal cement prices in certain locations nationwide.
These initiatives aim to alleviate the burden on consumers by stabilizing cement prices and ensuring adequate supply across the country.
