Senate invites Ali over rice importation ‘by land’

‎The senate on Thursday summoned Hameed Ali, comptroller-general of customs (CG), for an explanation on his removal of rice from import restriction list and the re-introduction of import duty payment at land borders.

The Goodluck Jonathan administration had banned the importation of rice through the land borders to check smuggling and stimulate local production.

But Wale Adeniyi, public relations officer of customs, had argued last week that over the years, importation had been restricted to the seaports because border authorities found it difficult to effectively monitor and control importation of rice.

“When the decision to ban it (rice) was taken, it was not an effective measure because smuggling of the product thrives with people using different means of conveyance, including small trucks, bicycles and even animals – putting them on donkeys and some actually carry it on their heads,” he said.

“These new measures will be for customs to re-organise their anti-smuggling operations in the border areas and ensure that all those importers through the borders bring their rice through approved routes and pay their extant duty.”

At the senate on Thursday, Muhammad Aliero (Kebbi central) moved a motion that was co-sponsored by 30 senators, observing that the “ban on rice imports through the land borders had reduced cross-border smuggling”.

While pointing out that the customs “lacked the capacity and machinery to effectively monitor and control the importation of rice through the country’s porous and extensive land borders”, Aliero said Ali had no powers to reverse the ban on rice importation.

He explained that the lifting of the ban would hamper local production, adding that Nigeria was heading towards self-sufficiency in the production of rice.

Debating the motion, Dino Melaye (Kogi west) urged the senate to invite the CG to explain why he took the decision, insisting that he had a right to fair hearing.

“We must listen to the com‎ptroller-general of customs to know why he took the decision,” he said.

Also, Kabir Marafa (Zamfara central), argued in favour of Ali, saying his decision must have been informed by good reasons.