The Nigeria Customs Service has announced that it will start distributing seized food items directly to Nigerians. Abdullahi Maiwada, the National Public Relations Officer of the service, made this known in a statement released on Tuesday. The move is aimed at tackling the challenges of food security and the high cost of essential food items in the country. Maiwada explained that the items must first be certified fit for consumption by relevant agencies before they can be distributed to Nigerians.
Recently, Nigerians in some states held demonstrations against rising living costs in the country. The economic crisis and soaring food prices have led to protests among Nigerians. To alleviate these hardships and improve access to essential food items, the Nigeria Customs Service will facilitate the direct disposal of food items forfeited to the Federal Government. These items would be distributed equitably to ordinary Nigerians nationwide through NCS formations.
The NCS spokesperson assured Nigerians that the modalities for the disposal would be communicated through NCS formations across the country. He further pledged that the exercise would be conducted with transparency, fairness, and public safety in mind. The NCS has launched a strategic anti-smuggling operation to prevent the unlawful exportation of vital food resources for individual economic gains.
The Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, reaffirmed the service’s commitment to advancing President Bola Tinubu’s food security agenda. He said that the commitment was deeply rooted in the NCS’s core mandate of serving the best interests of Nigerians.
“The NCS remains resolute in its dedication to safeguarding the nation’s food security and advancing the economic well-being of all Nigerians. With the unwavering support and cooperation of the public, we will surmount these challenges and pave the way for a more prosperous future for our beloved nation,” Adeniyi concluded.