The Chief Controller of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, announced that the distribution of confiscated food supplies is scheduled to begin on Friday.
In a conversation with the press on Thursday in Lagos, Adeniyi issued a caution that the food items distributed should not be sold again.
He further instructed that customs officials are to be excluded from participating in the distribution, stating that the rice will be available in 25kg bags, priced at N10,000 each.
It was earlier mentioned by the NCS that it had finalized preparations to start the direct handover of confiscated food items to the citizens of Nigeria.
Abdullahi Maiwada, the Service’s National Public Relations Officer, revealed this through a press release on Tuesday.
Adeniyi, providing more details on the eligibility criteria, mentioned that a Nigerian Identification Number must be presented by interested individuals.
He detailed that the distribution aimed at reaching various segments of the population including craftsmen, educators, healthcare workers, religious groups, and more, leveraging their structured networks for effective dissemination.
He emphasized the importance of using these items ethically.
“Beneficiaries must recognize that these items are not for resale. We are adamantly opposed to any attempts to profit from or exploit this effort. We encourage the public to report any abuse or unauthorized selling of these food items,” he stated.
Adeniyi assured of the NCS’s dedication to openness and integrity throughout this initiative.
“Any person or organization found breaching the guidelines of this program will face strict repercussions,” the customs authority declared.
Adeniyi highlighted that this initiative is a temporary measure for the disposal of confiscated food items.
“This initiative reflects the NCS’s dedication towards bolstering our community by making crucial food supplies accessible. The government has been tackling the economic hurdles in recent months.
“The volume of items being transported to neighboring territories has surged, including over 20,000 sacks of various grains, 2,500 boxes, and 963 sacks of dried fish, along with dried pepper, tomatoes, cooking oil, macaroni, salt, sugar, and garri. This pattern poses a risk to our food sovereignty and strains our production capabilities,” Adeniyi observed.
