In response to the escalating food costs and severe hunger crisis in Nigeria, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has initiated measures to facilitate duty-free importation of essential food items.
NCS Comptroller-General Adewale Adeniyi announced the suspension of import duties and taxes on rice, flour, wheat, and other vital food items. This decision aligns with the government’s commitment to address the rising costs and alleviate hunger in the country.
The measure complements a previous announcement by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, which initiated a 150-day duty-free importation period for essential food items. This policy is part of the Presidential Accelerated and Stabilisation Advancement Plan (ASAP), which involves the government importing wheat and maize to replenish depleted reserves....Read Full Article [Click Here>]
However, the policy has faced criticism from stakeholders in the agricultural sector. Former Agriculture Minister and AfDB President Akinwunmi Adesina expressed concerns that food imports could undermine Nigeria’s agricultural policy. Similarly, All-Farmers Association of Nigeria President Kabir Ibrahim lamented that the policy could hinder local production efforts in rice, maize, and wheat.
Source: VanguardNG
