Too Much Rice from Cotonou cost Nigeria N200 billion in 2013 ...

The House of Representatives, on Wednesday, disclosed that 3 million tonnes of parboiled rice was smuggled into the country in 2013 through Benin Republic, the development, it said, made the country lost over N200 billion in dutiable levy to Benin Republic.

To this end, the House called on the Federal Government to implement the new rice duty regime as to checkmate importation of rice into the country and boost local production.

The House equally mandated its Committee on Customs to summon all, relevant stakeholders in order to fashion out a way forward on the new rice duty regime.

The House resolution was sequel to a motion moved by Honourable Nasiru Baballe Ila, where he observed that the Federal Government increased duty on rice importation from 50 per cent to 100 per cent in 2013 to further stimulate local farming and subsequently local production, but added that activities of smugglers were hampering the government policy.

According to him, “over three million tonnes of parboiled rice was smuggled into Nigeria in 2013 through Benin Republic. This culminated in that country gaining over N200 billion in dutiable levy.”

Speaking further, he said ”Nigeria Customs Service, which is the second largest revenue generator to the government coffer, lost over N300 billion from sharp practices of smuggling. It is pertinent to note that import duty on rice is the major source of revenue to the Service.” ---- Tribune News