The Nigerian Customs Service has blamed the current hardship experienced by Nigerians following the economic reform policies undertaken by President Bola Tinubu’s administration on illicit exportation by unpatriotic Nigerians.
Jerrymusa.com the service further stated that in order to address the severe food crisis now occurring, the participation and engagement of all parties are required.
Nigerian Customs Set to Combat Food Insecurity
This was stated by Adewale Adeniyi, Comptroller General of Customs, during his visit to Dr Barkindo Mustapha, Lamido of Adamawa, in Yola on Thursday.
Adeniyi said they were visiting the palace to ask the monarch for help in combating the actions of dishonest businesspeople who are currently causing food insecurity in the country. They were accompanied by Joseph Adelaja, the acting controller in charge of the Federal Operations Unit Zone “D.”.
“He clarified that the goal of the visit was to obtain cooperation, and specific details regarding the actions of hoarders, whose actions have driven up the cost of food supplies.
“Because of the ongoing economic reforms, he stated. We have a problem with food insecurity in the nation. The illegal shipment of necessities is the cause of this food insecurity.
“We are calling on everyone to stand with us in this battle by providing the knowledge we need to combat the hoarding problem we’ve encountered, which has led to an increase in the possible cost of necessities like food supplies.
“Every Nigerian should be concerned about food security. Since foods intended for Nigerians are being exported by disloyal individuals, prices have increased beyond anything we have ever seen.”
Adelaja denounced the actions of unpatriotic merchants while being joined by other senior customs agents.
“You are exporting food out of the country to feed other nations, and people are hungry,” he remarked.
“This is not in the best interest of the nation, and we must all work together to confront the threat head-on.”
Mustapha Aminu, the Galadima of Adamawa and a representative of the Lamido, stated in his speech that traditions play an essential part in ensuring the food security and nutrition of the country.
He promised the Emirate’s support for the customs in accomplishing its mission of addressing the present food crisis while urging the customs to stay firm in their economic and security duties.
“As the value of the naira plunges against the US dollar, grain traders have found a means to sell their goods to neighbouring nations at a higher profit margin.”
Speaking with our correspondents, many of them stated that they would rather sell their goods to the nations since their currencies were more valuable than the naira.
According to a number of experts, if nothing is done about it, this might result in hoarding, create a false shortage of grains, and drive up the price of the items, creating a food crisis.
The country is currently experiencing extreme hunger as a result of the over 300% spike in staple food costs.
Inflation in the nation is also at its highest point in 28 years, with food inflation reaching 35.41 percent in January.
According to official estimates from the Nigerian government, the country’s annual inflation rate increased from 28.92 percent in December 2023 to 29.90 percent in the same month, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
For example, in December 2023, a bag of long-grain rice sold for N45,000; today, it sells for approximately N80,000. A crate of eggs used to retail for N2,700, but it now fetches about N5,000.
A number of other food goods have also seen skyrocketing prices due to various market dynamics, the most significant of which is the depreciation of the naira.