Customs seizes container of jollof rice, yam porridge, egusi soup from India

A 20ft container of prepared jollof rice, yam porridge, egusi soup and “ogbono” imported from India, has been impounded by men of the Tin Can Island Command of the Ni­geria Customs Service (NCS).

For thorough investigation, the NCS handed the container over to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

In a statement issued on Mon­day by the Customs Area Comp­troller, Mr. Bashar Yusuf, he described the scenario as an “ab­erration”, considering the fact that the Federal Government granted zero-duty for the importation of machinery for the packaging of agricultural products.

The NCS’ Command Pub­lic Relations Officer, Mr. Uche Ejesieme, who signed the state­ment, said that Yusuf made the seizure of the container known to stakeholders at the SDV/SCOA Terminal when he handed it over to NAFDAC.

He said: “Why should indige­nous menus be imported into the country at a time when investors are being wooed to boost local in­dustries?’’

According to the News Agen­cy of Nigeria (NAN), Yusuf said the command generated N25.7 billion in November, up from N25.3 billion recorded in October.

Yusuf said that the higher rev­enue was recorded in spite of the recession and low imports.

He said that the command would continue to explore all av­enues for maximum revenue col­lection.

According to him, this is in view of the exigencies of the mo­ment, which placed more respon­sibilities on the service.

Yusuf urged potential inves­tors to take advantage of the nu­merous export potential in the country for their socio-econom­ic benefits.

In a related development, while briefing a group of senior officers undergoing training in the command, the comptroller admonished them to make pro­fessionalism, integrity and trans­parency as their watchword.

He also urged the officers to ensure effective leadership and supervision in carrying out their duties.

Yusuf said the various trade facilitation tools as provided in the automation of Customs pro­cedures would guide the officers in the discharge of their functions.

He told the officers to see training and re-training as a ver­itable tools that would sharpen their knowledge toward achiev­ing desired results.

The comptroller appreciated the Comptroller-General of Cus­toms, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd) for repositioning the NCS in spite of the global recession.

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