Posted on March, 11, 2024 at 10:01 am
Worried by the current food crisis in the country, the Comptroller General of Nigeria Custom Service, Bashir Adeniyi, has warned dealers at the Dawanau International grains market against exportation of grains such as maize, beans, sorghum and rice.
This was as he said it is set to fully implement the export prohibition act forbidding exportation of the specific grains in the country
The Customs Comptroller General stated this when he led a delegation to meet with the leadership of the Dawanau International grains market in Kano.
He said the decision became imperative in the face of the current food crisis in order to ensure food sufficiency in the country
According to him, “In Nigeria, you may be aware of the export prohibition act and that is the law that forbids taken some food items out of the country. That law has been there for some time, it is because we are in a situation of food sufficiency, that is why it has not been implemented.
“Now, we are in food crisis, the President has asked me to request your understanding that during this period, we are going to implement the laws forbidding the exportation of certain grain items such as maize, beans, sorghum, rice. We do not want those that are locally produced in Nigeria and those that are already imported to be re-exported out of the country. And you are a very big stakeholder in this particular business.
“It is only those that have fed and are fully okay that can begin to take what they cannot eat out of the country. We have not gotten to that level currently. And this is why we are seeking your understanding that at this period we have to restrict the movement of our grains particularly the strategic ones out of the country.
“Everywhere in the world, they also have those goods that do not allow them to export. If you want to buy them, you cannot. As advanced as countries like the United States of America, you know that the US government have a policy whereby they manage the stock of their farmers through the use of subsidies, strategic results and all of that measures and they were able to manage what goes out and comes into the US. Every responsible organization or countries takes that kind of decision,” he said.
The Customs boss however said so far its men and other agencies have intercepted over 120 trucks across the country attempting to export the grains.
“Before today, I had a meeting with transporters, journalist to get their support and understanding. And that is why I have also come to this market because we know this is the biggest market. So that you don’t take interest in where your exports are going,” the CG, Adeniyi however stated.
Source: Vangaurd