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.
