The Nigeria Customs Service said it has restricted the exit of rice from Free Trade Zones in the country to ensure total compliance to the ban on the importation of rice.
Joseph Attah, the Public Relations Officer of the NSC, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja that the Service has taken its war against rice smuggling to the FTZs.
Attah said due to the high level of security along the border lines, some Nigerians were taking advantage of the status of the FTZ to smuggle rice into the country.
Attah said: “Just last week the Comptroller-General of Customs, Colonel Hameed Ali, issued a directive that no rice should exit from FTZ into the country.
“We know that the FTZ enjoys special status under the law.
“It is known as a country within a country.
“That is why some items that are not allowed in the country are allowed by law to be imported into the country by the operators in the FTZ.
“However, the NSC has discovered that some operators are taking advantage of the status of the FTZ.
“They now circumvent the law restricting rice importation through the land borders.
“So if we block the land borders and allow operators of FTZ to bring in rice through the seaport into the FTZ and then exit into Nigeria, our efforts at the land borders will be in vain.”
Attah explained that the FTZ was a land of its own, as such the law that apply to the land border should also be apply to the FTZ because it is a land, and “between the two borders, there is no seaport”.
NAN.
Trending
- Alleged defilement of girlfriend: 23-year-old student freed after two years
- We’re not aware of any BoT in Labour Party — NEC
- Anambra police station attacked, set ablaze
- National Convention: We gave INEC over 100 days notice – LP
- Naira falls against dollar by 0.7%
- Delta Killings: Traditional ruler declared wanted surrenders self
- 3rd Mainland Bridge: Minister gives date for full reopening
- Eve’s Desire: Challenges of a loveless marriage, by Tiwa Says