Customs subsidises, distributes seized food items

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has disclosed that it will commence the selling of seized food items to Nigerians at subsidised rates to crash the soaring hardship in the country.

The spokesman of the service, Abdullahi Maiwada, who disclosed this during a courtesy visit to the management of the Media Trust Group in Abuja Tuesday, said the commitment was deeply rooted in the service’ core mandate of serving the best interest of Nigerians and fostering economic stability and prosperity.

Maiwada said, “To alleviate the hardship faced by Nigerians 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 will be certified fit for consumption by relevant agencies and made available to ordinary Nigerians nationwide through equitable distribution.

“We will commence the pilot phase of the distribution in Lagos once the food items are certified worthy for consumption.”

The Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, on Tuesday unveiled plans by the service to distribute seized food items to Nigerians.

Speaking on the purpose of the visit to Media Trust, Maiwada said, “you have been in the forefront of developmental journalism, which is why the customs has over the years identified itself with the media house.”

Responding, the acting Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of Media Trust Group and Editor-in-Chief (print), Ahmed Shekarau, noted that the company had metamorphosed into a conglomerate after it started as a weekly newspaper.

Shekarau said, “Media Trust Group has expanded over the years, as we started as a weekly newspaper in 1998 and today we have our Daily Trust, Aminiya (Hausa), weekend titles and TV. Also, we have a radio station that is broadcasting online and we hope to be on the terrestrial platform soon.”

Shekarau told the customs delegation that Media Trust Group was willing to partner with the service in projecting its activities and also exploring areas of mutually beneficial partnerships.

The Group Executive Director and Editor in Chief (Digital) of Media Trust Group, Naziru Mikailu, while commending the activities of the service in recent times, urged them to further strengthen their mandate to secure the country’s borders which he noted were relatively porous.