Importers and Distributors Association of Nigeria (RIMIDAN) has
alleged high level corruption and under-declaration involving Nigerian
Customs and importer at various borders across the country.
In a letter entitled “under-declaration as the bane of new rice
policy” , signed by RIMIDAN National President, Tunji Owoeye, and sent
to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Hameed Ali, the association
alleged that rice import through the land borders is not structured
while proper procedures are not followed in making declaration and
clearance.
“Sir, we want to bring to your notice our observations on the new rice
policy. We gathered from reliable sources that massive
under-declaration has now replaced outright smuggling in virtually all
our land borders,” he said.
“Form M is not original or may not be opened at all; PAAR is not
included in the documents; customs officials are issuing assessments
without form M; no NAFDAC numbers on the bags; rice dealers buy CFA
and other foreign currencies through illegal means.
.
“The least a bag of rice imported through the land border is expected
to cost is N 10,300. It was reported that, in major Nigerian rice
markets such as Daleko, Iddo, Alaba & Sango in Lagos, Bodija in
Ibadan, Oyarugbulem/Oba Oyemekun in Akure, Oja Obal new market in
Borin, Kuto in Abeokuta, Igbudu in Warri, new Benin in Benin and
Maraba, Wuse, & Garki in Abuja, bags of rice are unbelievably landing
far below N10,300; an indication that massive under-declaration is going
on at our land borders.
According to RIMIDAN, the implication of the anomalies with regards to
rice importation through the land borders are grave on the health of
the citizenry and the national economy.
“Other agencies of government such as NAFDAC, SON, NPA and Quarantine
Services are deprived of their statutory functions with very serious
implications on the health of our people especially if there is food
poisoning/contamination,” the association.