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Tag: bags of rice

  • Palliative: Alake distributes 1200 bags of rice to Ekiti residents

    Palliative: Alake distributes 1200 bags of rice to Ekiti residents

    Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake has begun distributing 1200 bags of rice to vulnerable aged residents across the 16 council areas of Ekiti state.

    Alake, in a statement on Sunday, September 15, by his special assistant (media), Segun Tomori, said the bags of rice made available to him by the Presidency as palliatives for vulnerable citizens at the grassroots.

    He said: “Following the decision of the Presidency to respond to the yearnings of the Nigerian people to make more food available at the grassroots, the Honourable Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Oladele Alake has begun the distribution of 1,200 bags of rice to the aged in Ekiti State.

    “Thanking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for living up to his tradition of listening to the people and demonstrating a caring heart, Dr. Alake said the 1,200 bags made available to him and each minister to further supplement the established channels of distribution such as state governments and civic organizations, will be channelled to the aged only.

    Read Also: FG begins installation of 110 free CNG kits in Ogun commercial vehicles

    “We need to reach out to our aged fathers and mothers at times like this to demonstrate the Omoluabi values of taking care of the old in the community. In the spirit of inclusion, it is important that we channel this intervention to mainly elderly citizens who do not have the strength to compete for welfare goods such as these at the established centres. We have taken their inventory and we are delivering it to them.

    “Subsequent interventions will target other segments of the populace such as widows, orphans, persons living with disabilities, and students in higher institutions of learning,” he Alake added.

    He enjoined all public-spirited people in Ekiti state to lend a hand to the needy, adding that all hands must be on deck to support all efforts to rid the state of hunger and poverty.

  • A’Ibom govt augments FG’s donation with 24,000 bags of rice

    A’Ibom govt augments FG’s donation with 24,000 bags of rice

    The Akwa Ibom state government has added 24,000 bags of rice to augment the federal government’s donation to the state, raising the number to 48,000 bags.

    The federal government had donated 24,000 bags of 20kg rice to the 36 states of the federation including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

    Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Offiong Offor, who spoke at a press conference yesterday at the NUJ Press Centre, Uyo, disclosed that the state government has added additional 24,000 bags.

    Offor said, “Through this food intervention, each of the 2,272 gazetted villages in the state will receive 20 bags of rice.

    Read Also: Momodu, Okupe in war of words over support for Tinubu’s administration

    “This is in addition to the over 100,000 families from the social register who have already received, or will soon receive, free food items from the state government through the Bulk Purchase Agency,” she stressed.

    While appreciating the federal government’s gesture, Offor explained that the state governor under Governor Umo Eno was responding to the challenge of hunger caused by food insufficiency, unavailability, and inflation.

    She said, “This issue, a direct result of macro-economic factors, poses a challenge to both federal and state governments. “According to our leader, Governor Umo Eno, times like these require creative thinking and taking responsibility, rather than indulging in blame games, which only worsens the situation.”

  • Customs intercepts 12,720 smuggled bags of rice

    Operatives of Ogun State Customs Command have intercepted no fewer than 12,720 bags of rice, among other contraband.

    This was disclosed  by the Customs Area Controller, Mr Michael Agbara at the Idiroko command headquarters.

    He said: ‘’The command between January and March 2019 made 226 seizures comprising  83 units of vehicles, 12,720 bags of foreign rice,  446 kegs of vegetable oil. Others include 6 sacks of used footwear, 583 packs of used tyres and 550 kegs of PMS.’’

    Agbara also disclosed the seizure of 1.8 tons of cannabis consisting of 176 sacks, 120 compressed book packs and 21 compressed coconut packs of Indian hemp.

    Giving out the score card of his command for the first quarter of 2019 fiscal year, Agbara said the command recorded significant increase in revenue generation posting a total revenue of N3, 258, 628,190.50 for the period under review.

    He condemned the recent attacks on his men by suspected smugglers which led to loss of lives and property.

    He added that the suspected killers of a Customs operative, Hamisu Sani are currently being prosecuted, while three suspects who recently attacked operatives at Papalanto had been arrested.

    He said “The suspects have been arraigned before the Federal High Court, Abeokuta and are currently on remand in prison for obstruction of officers while on duty armed with dangerous weapons in contravention of section 11 of CEMA CAP 45 LFN 2004 as amended.

    “Also, the smugglers who mobilized okada riders to attack officers and even vandalized our sign post at Quarry road, Abeokuta on Saturday 23rd March 2019 has been apprehended and is presently undergoing interrogation prior to arraignment in court”.

  • Customs seizes 8,413 bags of rice in Kwara

    Nigerian Customs Service yesterday said it has seized 8,414 bags of 50 kilograms of suspected smuggled foreign rice in Kwara State. Also ‘arrested’ alongside the suspected rice were 525 litres vegetable oil stored in jery-cans, Deputy Comptroller of Customs, Abdullahi Kirawa has said. He added that the goods were evacuated in Okikan village along Bori-Kishi road, off Alapa, Moro local government area of Kwara State.

    Conducting reporters round the warehouses where the seized goods were kept in Ilorin, the state capital, Kirawa said “what we are showcasing this morning happened in the last four days. On Tuesday the 18th of the month, I addressed your colleagues in Benin, Edo State where all manner of seizures were showcased. And the ingenuity improvised by smugglers to evade detection exposed.

    “These bags of rice were found in dwelling houses in the village. Dwelling houses have been turned into mini warehouses where these smuggled items were kept. What I did was to get in touch with the Magaji of Onikan village where l appealed to him to sensitise his subjects as to ills and evils of smuggling. I made him know that smuggling is detrimental to the economy and that there are inherent dangers associated with smuggling.

    “People see smuggling as a business, whereas smuggling is the mother of all evils, because it is through smuggling that illegal arms and ammunition brought into the country, adulterated and poisonous food items can be smuggled in, which is hazardous to the health. Illicit drugs are smuggled into the country and you can see the effect on our youths.

     

  • Firm to sue CPC over seizure of 1,500 bags of rice

    Rice City, a rice retail outlet in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, has threatened to sue the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) for seizing 1,500 bags of rice from its warehouse valued at over N24million.

    This is sequel to a raid carried out a week ago on rice retail outlets in Uyo by CPC officials from Abuja led by the council’s Director-General, Mr. Babatunde Irukera.

    The counsel to Rice City, Mr. Victor Iyanam, while speaking to reporters yesterday on the incident, demanded an unreserved apology from CPC and a return of the seized bags of rice.

    Iyanam threatened to sue CPC if it fails to return the bags of rice

    and tender an apology to the rice firm, adding that the image of his client have been tarnished.

    He argued that the action of the CPC was at variance with fair trade, adding that their action had caused the organisation untold harms in its business dealing.

    Iyanam maintained that the organisation was instituting a legal proceeding against the council for damages over the seizure of the good worth N24,750,000.

    “At the end of the rampage, the men claiming to be from the CPC carted away 1500 bags of rice, mainly of the local variants. They came in three trucks, none was registered and can therefore not be identified.

    “The place to which the bags of rice were carted remains unknown.

    “We are dismayed that the conduct of the men of the CPC negates the courteous and humane manner the CPC was always expected to act. By the provision of Rules 10 and 11 of the Consumer Protection (Products and Services Monitoring and Registration) Regulations 2005, the CPC would be expected to issue some notice before moving against any marketer.

    “Besides carting away 1500 bags of rice with a market value of N24, 750,000 is excessive and unreasonable in the circumstance.

    “This is therefore to call on the Nigeria Police, Akwa Ibom State Command to come to the aid of Rice City and to ensure the return of her products,”  he said.

  • 4,000 bags of rice seized as Customs, smugglers clash

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Oyo/Osun Area Command, said yesterday it had seized over 4,000 bags of smuggled rice.

    It said the seizure was made on Opara/Bodo Musa axis of Iwajowa Local Government.

    The figure shows increase in the number of smuggled rice.

    Other items confiscated by the Customs included nine trucks, 150 used imported tyres, 51 bales of second- hand clothes, 50 gallons of vegetable oil and two used cars.

    The seizure was, however, not without resistance from the armed smugglers, who engaged the officers in a gun duel for about four hours in the forest.

    At the end, the officers overpowered the smugglers, who escaped, leaving their goods.

    One person was, however, arrested in connection with smuggling of prohibited goods.

    The Area Controller, Mr. Christopher Ogar Odibu, who addressed reporters yesterday in Ibadan, said the Duty Paid Value of the seized goods was N92.8 million.

     

  • BREAKING: Bag of rice to sell for N6000

    BREAKING: Bag of rice to sell for N6000

    The National President of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, Aminu Goronyo, on Wednesday, disclosed that in the next few months, a 50kg bag of rice would be sold at the rate of N6000.

    Goronyo made this known during a meeting between rice farmers, processors and the minister of agriculture, Audu Ogbeh, at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.

    According to the Farmers’ boss, the anticipated crash in prices is due to wet season bumper harvest by farmers, adding that operators have resolved to reduce the price of a 50kg bag of rice, which is currently priced within the range of N15,000 to N17,000, to N13,000.

    “This is just the beginning. The actual price will still come down because we are expecting a bumper harvest this year; we have sat down with the millers and agreed that we will work together for the interest of Nigerians,” he said.

    “At one time, people were buying a bag of rice at the cost of N18,000 but they are now buying it at between N13,000 and N15,000. The price is coming down.

    “In the next few months, God willing, the price of a 50kg bag will come down to N6,000. It is achievable, it will be a reality,’’ he said.

    Mohammed Abubakar, chairman, Rice Processors Association of Nigeria (RIPAN), said the associations had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to slash the prices of both paddy and processed rice.

    “We have agreed at N110,000 per tonne of paddy. In the market, rice will come around N13,000 to N13,500 per 50kg bag,” he said.

    “Before now, we were buying paddy at N140,000 and N150,000 per tonne and we are selling our products at N16,000 per 50kg bag.

    “If this MoU works, we hope to sell a bag of rice at N13, 000 to N13, 500, depending on where you are in the country.”

    Ogbeh commended the associations for their decision to slash the price of locally produced rice.

    The minister, who noted that the biggest challenge facing rice farmers in the country was smuggling, said the move would aid efforts to stamp out rice smuggling into the country.

    “Let me express the appreciation of President Muhammadu Buhari and the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, to both farmers and millers because nobody can calculate what you have done to rescue our country that was very close to disaster,” he said.

    “What you have done is going to save us from a lot of difficulties. What we want to promise you is that we will help you ease the burden of rice farming.

    “Last year, we procured 80,000 threshers; this year, we will procure another 2,500 threshers and we are bringing in small reapers for distribution to rice farmers.

    “The equipment will enable them to cut the rice, thresh it, winnow it and put it in sacks; It will take away all the stress which makes rice farming very difficult so that you can keep to the price of N110, 000 per tonne of paddy that we agreed.

    “If we are able to keep these prices stable and we are able to contain smuggling, I hope you will keep us informed when there are any challenges confronting you because no country can claim to be strong if its citizens are hungry.

    “Let everybody know that the price of rice for this Christmas will be good enough for us to eat rice, chicken and fish.”

    The federal government had banned the importation to improve local production and some states like Lagos and Kebbi have jointly produced rice for commercial activities in their states.

    Data made available by the National Bureau of Statistics show that export activities in the agricultural sector has been on the rise in 2017.

  • Navy impounds 941 bags of rice

    The Nigeria Customs Service, Western Marine Command, (WMC),  yesterday said its officers seized 941 bags of rice estimated at N6, 830,791 being smuggled into the country.

    The new Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Sarkin Kebbi, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the seizure was barely a month after he assumed duty at the command.

    “As you are aware, I took over the helm of affairs in this command on Tuesday April 25. My first official assignment was on the April 27 where I led a team of inspectors from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture delegated by the Office of the National Security Adviser to inspect a vessel, MV TEAM TANGO, that was arrested.

    “The visit was embarked upon to take samples of cargo on board, PRILLED UREA, presumed to be used by terrorists to manufacture improvised explosive devices (IEDS).

    “The Western Marine Command is an enforcement unit and its main function is to protect the water-ways, fight insecurity and combat smuggling.

    “We have been able to make unprecedented seizures within 30 days in office across the South Western states and right up to Kebbi State in the Northern part of the country at different dates and times,’’ Kebbi said.

    The CAC said the achievement was borne out of the new approach to duty in the command by the officers and men.

    He said that the goal of the command was to ensure that the waterways were safe from unscrupulous businessmen and women, whose activities endanger national security.

    Kebbi said that realising the enormity of the task ahead, he visited states, institutions and organisations within the command, in order to familiarise himself with the terrain and gather intelligence necessary for effective administration.

    “This commenced on Tuesday, May 16 in company of my principal officers to Badagry and Yekemeh Stations. The tour extended to the paramount ruler of Badagry, Oba Akran of Badagry, as well as the Baale of Pashi, the head of Pashi community. Both monarchs received us warmly and I expressed my gratitude to them for their fatherly love and care for the officers,’’ he told NAN.

    Kebbi said that the task of nation building was a call to service, and therefore implored smugglers to change their business to legitimate ones.

    According to him, there will be no hiding place for them any longer.

  • Customs seizes 117,034 bags of rice

    Customs seizes 117,034 bags of rice

    • Duty paid value N774.2m

    • Govt targets 2017 for rice sufficiency

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), impounded  117,034 (50kg) bags of rice with duty paid value of N774,282,300 in the first three quarters of this year, the Comptroller-General, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd), has said.

    Speaking at a press conference jointly organised with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) in Abuja, Ali said Nigerians were duty bound to reawaken their national pride and collectively reject the insults of what importers are feeding Nigerians with.

    He said with the support of patriotic Nigerians, the country will not only achieve national sufficiency in rice next year, but will be in a position to ban its importation in the years ahead.

    Ali  questioned the rationale of wasting  scarce foreign exchange (forex) on items that could be produced locally especially at this time of recession.

    He raised the question whether Nigeria should continue to tolerate its neighbors being used as staging post to sabotage her economy, insisting that the nation’s economic revival will revolve around ongoing efforts to support local production of rice to enhance food security.

    The Customs chief said market intelligence indicated a fierce price war between imported and local rice, adding that available  information suggests increasing preference for local rice over smuggled ones. He said at this harvesting period, the best Nigeria could do is to support the local farmers to make their products more competitive.

    Ali said: “In the recent past, our collective intelligence was assaulted with dubious claims of Rice Sufficiency Gaps. Arbitrary quotas were used, more for political patronage to dump imported rice on us without the payment of correct charges.

    “Our credible intelligence indicates that the promoters of this economic subterfuge are at work again. Their plan is to seek a re- introduction of the quota system to import 1.5 million metric tons through the entry points.

    “We are aware of their plans and we shall be waiting for them. This year, many state governments have injected massive investment in local production. The Federal Government, through interventions by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Bank of Industry (BoI), are also investing to give momentum to the rice revolution that is progressing smoothly, he stated.

    Ali said Kebbi State harvested over 700,000 MT of rice this year from irrigation farming, while a further 800,000MT is projected from rain-fed rice farming.

    “With similar projections from other states across the country, this planting season, bumper harvest of rice is expected to debunk the so-called sufficiency gap being trumped up to justify rice quotas. With the support of patriotic Nigerians, we will not only achieve national sufficiency of rice in 2017, but be in a position to clamp a total ban on its importation in the years ahead.

    “This therefore is our call to action; to remind ourselves about the dangers of part patronising smuggled rice. To rally all the supports we can muster for our local producers, and to support this campaign against smuggling of rice into our dear country.”

    According to him, the figures of seizure do not explain the full desperation of rice importer through rice borders, as the seizures had revealed several ingenious but devilish ways of smuggling into the country what is consumed as rice.

  • Customs seize 450 bags of rice, 5000 used tyres

    Customs seize 450 bags of rice, 5000 used tyres

    The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Oyo/Osun Area Command, yesterday intercepted imported goods worth over N100million, comprising 450 (50 kg)bags of rice, 290  (25 litres) gallons of vegetable oil and over 5,000 used tyres.

    Addressing a briefing at the Customs headquarters, Bodija, Ibadan, yesterday the NCS Area Controller, Tope Ogunkua, said the seizure followed several weeks of vigilance.

    Ogunkua said the items were intercepted at Osogbo in Osun State; Igboho/Adafila and Igbeti in Oyo State on different days.

    The last 20 bags of rice were seized inside the smugglers’ dump site in the forest at Igbeti.

    A Toyota Dyna Truck said to have been smuggled into the country without payment of duty was also intercepted on March 21 in Fiditi, Oyo State.

    A Volvo Truck, suspected to be carrying over 5,000 used tyres and other goods, was also intercepted on March 21.

    Ogunkua added that the duty paid value of the seizures made this month stands at N19,744,965.

    “The command has also intensified its sensitisation and enlightenment campaigns, which has enhanced the level of voluntary payment of duty on imported vehicles from stakeholders.

    “This month alone 110 vehicles paid duty through the command, which generated N15,922,101 to the Federal Government’s coffers,” he said.

    Ogunkua, however, warned importers and the public that the importation and payment of duty on rice through the land border has been banned by the Comptroller General of Customs, Col Hameed Ali, adding that importation of rice through seaports has not been banned.

    “This is with effect from Friday. All those who have their duty already paid for the imported rice within the Oyo/Osun Area Command border entry point are advised to evacuate same on or before the said date or risk the rice being seized,” he stated.