By Babs Oyetoro and Jude Idu
Despite the prohibition of imported rice into the country by the Federal Government, the Lagos markets are constantly being flooded daily with an uncountable number of bags of foreign rice, ThisNigeria checks revealed.
This development portends grave danger to the plan of the Federal Government economic policy to protect the rice industry to grow into maturity thereby creating employment opportunities for Nigerians and growing the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
*Reasons why the policy is not yielding positive results
ThisNigeria learned that there is an unquenchable propensity for the demand for foreign rice because the production of local rice could not meet the demand of the people.
It was also discovered that the local rice quality is low compared to the foreign rice and this development continues to create high demand for foreign rice despite the disparity in price.
Also, it was discovered that the porous borders do not help matters in curtailing the inflow of this illicit business from thriving in the country.
Revelations
It is astonishing to report that despite the avalanche of checkpoints on the border routes manned by combined security operatives, the smugglers are still having a field day. ThisNigeria learnt that the smugglers had developed illegal routes through which they smuggle these products to Lagos daily.
The investigation further revealed that these products are conveyed during the day on motorcycles to designated points in the Badagry axis where buyers in their large numbers are already waiting for the products.
At this ‘mini depot,’ there is brisk business going on there. What they do is weigh the product and if it falls short of the standard measurement it will be filled up and sealed. It only cost N50 to seal.
At this point, a bag of foreign rice is sold at N21, 500. It was observed that the Okada riders come in droves, while the buyers mainly women will be scampering for the rice. From this point, if these products are moved to the main markets, a bag is sold for N24, 000.
It was gathered that these women converge every day at this point to buy imported rice and from this point, the products are moved into Lagos markets in large quantities.
*Market survey
ThisNigeria survey reveals that foreign rice is more visible virtually in all the markets visited, unlike the local rice despite the price disparity.
While interacting with the market women to sample their opinion on the response of Nigerians to the two products in the market; the revelation was shocking.
One of the women (who refused to disclose her name) told this reporter that she has stopped selling local rice because the demand is very low compared to the imported rice.
According to her, the last time she bought local rice she had to give them out to people for free and since then she has stopped buying the local products.
Others who have it in stock said they only bought a few bags of local rice in case there is a demand for it but mainly they deal in imported rice.
As at the time ThisNigeria carried out its market survey, a bag of imported rice is sold for between N28, 000 and N31, 000, while the local rice is sold for an average cost of N23, 000, depending on the brand and its pureness.
…as FG, agencies partner to curb importation
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has assured it will continue to strategize and collaborate with other agencies and security agencies to curb the illegal importation of rice through land borders.
The Minister of Agriculture, Dr Mahmood Abubakar, at a meeting of the Steering Committee of the National Taskforce on Illegal Importation of rice through the land borders held at the Ministry’s Conference Hall in Abuja over the weekend, said the government is now set to stop the illegal mini flow of rice into the country. He also stated that the ban on rice importation has brought about a significant rise in local rice production and unlocked economic opportunities for rice investors in the country.
According to the Minister, ‘’ the ministry is very concerned about the increase in smuggling and has convened this meeting to discuss critical issues to strategize and come up with concrete measures to enable the committee to carry out its duties effectively’’.
Abubakar noted that the huge improvement in the rice sub-sector need to be sustained for the country’s economic growth as signified by the huge contribution of the agricultural sector to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which is in line with the Federal Government’s diversification policy.
The minister noted, “The resumed smuggling of foreign rice, especially through the land borders is constituting a serious threat to these achievements. Therefore, if the smuggling is left unchecked it will jeopardize all government efforts to enhance the domestic rice industry and make them ineffective”.
He pointed out that “ the Federal Government and private sectors have invested a lot of resources in rice production and processing over the years because of the government commitment to the development of the sub-sector through its various interventions’’.
“The Ministry has been supporting farmers especially smallholders and rice processors with quality seeds of improved varieties, production and processing machinery and equipment including the provision of modern rice mills of various capacities, per boiler, dryers, colour sorters to boost rice production and improve the quality and market competitiveness of domestic rice’’, the minister stated.
He said, “Nigerian rice industry had recorded significant progress in terms of investment due to an increase in the quality and quantity of the milled rice and it has, in turn, increased the competitiveness, consumer preference, and patronage of our milled rice.
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“There is no better time than now to maintain the rice production momentum to achieve self-sufficiency for food and nutrition security, job creation, wealth generation, and import substitution.”
In his remarks, the Comptroller General, Nigeria Customs Service, Col Hameed Ali (retd), said, “The meeting has presented an avenue for the committee to deliberate and discusses on curbing insecurity and smuggling of rice into the country.
“The Nigeria Customs Service cannot fight alone in Operation of the border patrol but needs other security agencies such as the Nigerian Civil Defence Corps to beef up the joint operations of the Taskforce.”
Chairman, Presidential Committee on Trade Malpractice, Alhaji Dahiru Ado, commended the ministry, the Nigerian Customs Service, and other partners in their sustained efforts in tackling the menace of illegal rice importation through the land borders into the country.
He said his committee will continue to track vessels that bring in the rice into the country through the Benin Republic and that the companies involved will be apprehended.
