The Nigerian Customs Service in Lagos, found 102 bags of plastic rice imported into the country.
Channels TV reported that according to the Federal Operations Unit ‘Zone A’ of the service, the smugglers decided to use the increase in demand for rice during the festive period as an opportunity to cash in some money.
Investigation on how the products came into the country is being carried out according to the Comptroller of the Unit, Haruna Mamudu.
In the meantime, Nigerians are urged to be on the watch out as they buy consumable goods during this festive period.
The Federal government is looking into banning the importation of rice to prevent further incident and as well patronize local rice farmers, though not in sufficient quantity.
Due to the increase of price of rice, people have been pushed to smuggle rice into the country to sell it at a cheaper price for Nigerians. This has continue to affect the growth of local rice farmers.
The Central Bank of Nigeria initiated a programme Anchor Borrowers’ Programmethat has supported the local farmers who are into rice production.
According to the Acting Director, Corporate Communication, CBN, Issac Okoroafor, based on the yields before the end of 2017, Nigeria will begin to export rice to other countries.
Source and Photo Credit: Channels TV
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