National Hardship: Customs Sells Seized Food Items To Needy Nigerians At Discounts

From Ankeli Emmanuel, Sokoto

In compliance with the directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has started a direct disbursement of siezed food items to Nigerians to help cushion the effect of food insecurity in the country. 

The disbursement, which is expected to take place in all Custom’s formations nationwide, was flagged off on Thursday in Lagos by the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi. 

Adeniyi, who assured that the NCS was commitment to aligning with President Tinubu-led administration’s plans to tackle the pressing issue of food insecurity through ensuring the availability of essential food items to Nigerians, added that the food items would go directly to beneficiaries. 

The CGC, who appealed for transparency and accountability in the disbursement process, added that the siezed rice would be sold to needy Nigerians at a discounted prices in areas of Customs operations, and warned against hoarding or reselling. 

He added: “Tthe NCS secured approval from the government to dispose off the seized food items to needy Nigerians at discounted prices after satisfying the verification process of presenting the National Identification Number (NIN). 

“The target groups include artisans, teachers, nurses, religious bodies, and other Nigerians within our operational areas.”

While noting that the intention is to reach out directly to members of the public through these organized structures as a way of ensuring maximum impact of the exercise, the CGC emphasized that the initiative’s primary objective was to provide essential food items to those in need, in line with the Nigeria Customs Service’s commitment to enhancing its social welfare responsibility programmes.

Adeniyi said: “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.”