By Steve Agbota
The Federal Operations Unit Zone A of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) yesterday said it intercepted 34,725 liters of smuggled petrol, 12 trailers of rice, 201 cartons of expired seasoning (Chicken Cubes) among other contraband.
This was even the Unit said it arrested nine suspects in connection with some seizures while they were trying to smuggle them into the country.
Notable among the seizures recorded within the period under review are: 7,261 bags of 50kg foreign parboiled rice(equivalent to 12 trucks load), 600 bags of basmati rice (5kg each), 34,725 liters of petroleum motor spirit (PMS), 39 bales of used clothes, 225 pieces of used tyres, 201 cartons of expired seasoning (Chicken Cubes)
331 cartons of frozen poultry, six units of used imported cars, 2,634 cartons of slippers/shoes, 900 pairs of used shoes, 42 units of used motorcycles, etc with a cumulative duty paid value (DPV) of N537.480 million.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos on the successes recorded by the Unit in the month of July, 2022, the Customs Area Controller (CAC), FOU Zone A, Deputy Comptroller, Hussein Ejibunu, said in furtherance to its commitment at enforcing government’s laws and policies, aimed at safeguarding the nation’s economy as well as its citizens health, the Unit had intercepted some goods that are of health and safety concerns.
He added: “A misplaced priority as demonstrated in the use of hard earned forex for the importation of expired seasonings (Chicken Cubes), used clothes, shoes and tyres is not only injurious to the economy, but also a despicable act by some desperate importers to make monetary gains at the detriment of other peoples’ health.
“Let me use this medium to remind you that poultry products remain a prohibited item under the import list, because of its attending health and economic implications. It may interest you to know that the federal government in her wisdom banned the importation of poultry products so as to support the growth of our domestic poultry farms, and to protect them from foreign competition.
He explained that it was discovered that using various process of transporting these products, some hazardous chemicals are applied to help in preserving the products; since its frozen state of being cannot be sustained till it reaches the final consumers. “This act calls for public concern as it could be a source of different ailments and diseases.
Perhaps, there is no Nigerian family that has not been affected by either an accident caused by a substandard or used tyre, skin diseases or cancers, and many more; as a result of patronage to prohibited imported products into the country.
“While we collectively sympathize with those that are affected by this menace, we are also calling on patriotic citizens to cooperate with the Customs Service and other law enforcement agencies to stamp it out,” he said.