The sales of food items seized from smugglers by the operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), which commenced last Friday in Lagos, may have suffered a hitch and suspended by the Service.
According to INDEPENDENT, it was revealed that halting the exercise is to re-strategise and find better modus operandi for a seamless disposal, devoid of stampede, fracas and casualties.InformationGuideNigeria
At the commencement of the exercise, at the Harvey- Road-Lagos Zonal Headquarters of NCS, Zone ‘A’, the human surge was huge while combined security operatives struggle to control the crowd, leading to stampede where so many sustained various degrees of injuries.NYSC Portal
It would be recalled that the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, briefed the press in Lagos last Thursday, on the flag-off the exercise, while the sales however, commenced on Friday.JAMB Portal
He said: “The target groups include artisans, teachers, nurses, religious bodies, and other Nigerians within our operational areas. The intention is to reach out directly to members through these organized structures to ensure the maximum impact of this exercise.”
“It is imperative that beneficiaries of this exercise understand that the items are not to be resold.JAMB Result
“We take a strong stance against any form of profiteering or exploitation of this initiative. We urge Nigerians to report any incidents of misuse or unauthorized resale of the seized food items,” the CGC said.
“Thank you for joining us today for this critical press conference on the recent activities of NCS in ensuring food security for Nigerians. We are here to shed light on the commitment of the NCS in protecting our society by ensuring the availability of essential food items. In recent months, the government has been addressing the challenges faced.a
“Within our economy, particularly the lagged effects of insecurity and the current exchange rate issues, these challenges have exacerbated concerns about food security, leading to a concerning trend where food items are moving out massively to neighboring countries.”
“One concerning trend noticed is the outflow of food items in huge quantities, posing a threat to our food security. It should be noted that the condition for the export of any item is only met upon fulfilling sufficiency internally. In this regard, food items deemed not to fulfil these conditions are showing up in our interceptions made at the borders. As part of our ongoing commitment to safeguarding the food security of Nigerians, the NCS has secured approval from the government to dispose of these seized food items to needy Nigerians at discounted prices.
According to him, the criteria for Nigerians to benefit from this initiative include having a verifiable National Identification Number (NIN).
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“To ensure the security and integrity of this initiative, NCS has put in place comprehensive measures. These measures encompass robust security protocols throughout the process. Our officers will be closely monitoring the entire supply chain to prevent any misuse or diversion of the food items. Moreover, we have established strict guidelines and eligibility criteria to ensure that the items are distributed only to those in genuine need. Additionally, we will be working closely with relevant agencies to ensure compliance with the terms of this program.
“It is imperative that beneficiaries of this exercise understand that the items are not to be resold. We take a strong stance against any form of profiteering or exploitation of this initiative. We urge Nigerians to report any incidents of misuse or unauthorized resale of the seized food items. NCS is fully committed to transparency and accountability in this process, and we will not hesitate to take decisive action against any individuals or entities found to be in violation of the terms of this program. The note that NCS under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will continue to advance the nation’s goals and objectives. Aligned with the administration’s policies and aspirations for a prosperous Nigeria, NCS is dedicated to executing its duties with excellence and efficiency.
“Recognising the significance of its responsibility to protect the society and facilitate trade, the NCS remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding national interests and ensuring the well-being of all Nigerians.”
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