By Umar Muhammad Puma
Concerned by the dwindling revenue genaration of the Nigerian Customs Servce (NCS), and its effect to the economy, the House of Representatives has mandate it committee on customs to liase with the
Nigerain custom service, to work out modalities to curb the activities of smugglers in the country.
The position of the House was reached sequel to a motion moved by Rep Odebunmi Olusegun (PDP Oyo), noted that the transformation agenda of the federal government includes the optimization of the production of level of local industries by prohibiting the importation of certain categories of products that compare with those of local industries producing similar product.
He further noted that the policy is meant to strengthen the nation’s economy in line with global economic practices and the Nigerian customs service has a major role to play in the enforcement of the policy.
He expresses concerned that the nation’s borders have become porous that palm oil and other consumables are easily smuggled into the country through the neighboring countries, thus affecting the marketability of locally produced palm oil and other consumables.
“The rate of which rice and other food item are being smuggled into the country through various borders is so high that Nigeria has lost much revenue as a result of compromising activities of certain customs officers”.
Adding that, “not much is being done by the Nigerian customs service, to work out modalities to curb the activities of the smugglers and the sale of prohibited goods within the country. The motion was unanimously adopted by the House and was referred to the committee on customs for further legislative inputs, and report back to the House within four weeks.
