• Thursday, March 28, 2024
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Customs seize containers of expired rice packaged for Master’s Energy Group

Seized rice

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Tin-Can Island Port Command (TCIPC) has intercepted 54 containers of expired foreign parboiled rice and other contraband items imported into the country with Duty Paid Value (DPV) of over N2.7 billion.

Among the intercepted consignments, was 25 by 20-foot containers of expired foreign parboiled rice imported from Thailand and packaged for Master’s Energy Commodities Trading Ltd, with office location of No 31A Remi Fani Kayode Street GRA Ikeja, Lagos.

Briefing newsmen in Lagos on Tuesday after showcasing the seizure at Tin-Can Island Port, Hameed Ali, comptroller-general of Customs said the seizure comprises of a total of 33 containers of rice and another one container of rice concealed with spare parts; 11 containers of unregistered pharmaceutical products; two containers of used tires and four containers of refined vegetable oil in retail packs, were intercepted.

According to him, a total of 54 containers comprising of 15 by 40-foot containers and 39 by 20-foot containers were seized in line with the provisions of Customs & Excise Management Act Cap C45 LFN 2004, section 46 and 161.

He said the significant thing about the seizure was the fact that virtually all the rice is expired while some other containers of imported Jasmine Rice- Dr. Chang Brand, packaged for Yunfei International Trading Co. Ltd of No. 103 Ebittu Ukiwe Street, FCT Abuja, would expire in 2020.

“Also remarkable is the seizure of Tramadol variants and unregistered performance-enhancing drugs among other pharmaceutical products. The Service has raised alarm and drew the attention of the public to the fact that most of the imported rice is expired,” he said.

Ali, who said that rice importation through both the seaports and land borders remains banned, said the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had in the last three years refused to issue Form M to importers of rice in line with the Federal Government policy of making Nigeria sufficient in rice production.

He insisted that importers of such dangerous items do not mean well for Nigerians as one could imagine the health havoc, which consumption of repackaged expired rice and unregistered pharmaceutical products could cause for Nigerians.

While stating that importation of rice and other contraband products are on red alert, Ali disclosed Customs resolve to secure the nation’s land borders and seaports from such dangerous items.