Direct disposal of food items to mitigate scarcity, CGC Adeniyi walks the talk

Direct disposal of food items to mitigate scarcity, CGC Adeniyi walks the talk

… flags off sales of seized food Items in Lagos

Certainly, the Comptroller-General of Customs, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, is walking the talk on his plans to ensure direct disposal of food items to needy Nigerians, to assist government in tackling hardship in the land, as the exercise begins today February 23, 2024 in Lagos State.

Addressing Journalists during a press conference in Lagos yesterday, the CGC officially unveiled the pilot exercise in Lagos, demonstrating pragmatically how the exercise will be conducted nationwide in an orderly, well-thoughtout and transparent manner, to achieve the intended purpose.

With his swift intervention in giving the Federal Government a strong back-up to move the economy forward at this critical time, CGC Adeniyi has expressed unwavering commitment to align with the initiative of President Bola Tinubu in tackling food insecurity, by ensuring availability of essential food items to Nigerians.

During the press conference, our Reporter observed that the rice was decently rebagged, well packaged with a high standard of hygiene, even as the item had been examined thoroughly by NAFDAC and certified suitable for consumption. Each bag of rice had a bold inscription warning that the item must NOT be resold.

The exact words of CGC Adeniyi :
“We are here to shed light on the
commitment of Customs in protecting our society by ensuring availability of
essential food items.

“In recent months, the government has been addressing the challenges faced 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 neighbouring countries.

“Some of the items include over 20,000 bags of assorted grains (Rice, beans, Maize, Guinea corn, millet, Soya beans. 2500 cartons and 963 bags of dried fish. Others include dried pepper, tomato, cooking oil, Maggi, Macaroni, salt, sugar and garri.

“This trend is not sustainable as it puts pressure on our productive capacity and threatens our food security. To address this, the Service has remained responsive in carrying out its mandate to protect our borders from inflow and outflow of restricted goods.

“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 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.”

He went on : “As part of our ongoing commitment to safeguard food security of Nigerians, Customs has secured approval from the government to dispose these
seized food items to needy Nigerians at discounted prices.”

The CGC explained repeatedly :
“The criteria for Nigerians to benefit from this initiative include having a verifiable National Identification Number (NIN). 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 organised structures to ensure maximum impact of this exercise. 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 programme.”

He warned : “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 incident of misuse of the seized food items.

“NCS is fully committed to
transparency and accountability in this process. We will not hesitate to take decisive action against individuals or entities found to be in violation of the terms of this programme.

” I shall conclude on the note that NCS under the leadership of President
Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will continue to advance the nation’s goals and objectives, align 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 safeguard national interests and ensure the well-being of all Nigerians. We are committed to fostering a culture of transparency,
accountability in public service.

“By upholding the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct, the NCS will continue to earn the trust and confidence of the Nigerian people. As a responsive and forward-thinking organisation, the NCS will remain at the forefront of efforts to drive sustainable development, enhance competitiveness and promote inclusive growth. In doing so, the NCS will contribute to the nation’s progress and prosperity, ensuring that the benefits of economic growth are shared equitably among all Nigerians.”