A group, Social Integrity Network (SIN), has warned that Nigeria’s economy is on the verge of collapse following what it termed officials’ connivance on illegal importation of substandard steel and other products into the country.
Barely two weeks after Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi, expressed concern over the nation’s economy, National Coordinator of Social Integrity Network, Malam Jubrin Abdulmalik told journalists in Kaduna that its investigation into Nigeria’s port and pre-shipment management revealed that the nation’s security has been exposed to abuse, gross misconducts, undue connivance, as well as aiding and abetting illegal importation of substandard products into the country.
“It is saddening to note that Nigeria’s economy is heading to a point of collapse because smugglers had enjoyed the protection of the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) and the Nigeria Customs Service thereby channelling all manners of goods into the nation. To our dismay, the unpatriotic moves have over the years significantly affected the textile industry in the past and most recently, the nation’s steel industry.
“Federal Government had imposed 45 percent import duties on foreign products that are being manufactured locally, to protect local manufacturers, but unfortunately, little or nothing are paid by dealers who have flooded the nation with imported items that are even substandard and dangerous for usage in Nigeria.
“Surprisingly, smuggled substandard steel products are freely traded in all markets in Nigeria thereby subjecting local manufacturers to serious economic and social investment misfortune. This is condemnable, unwarranted and uncharitable to the present administration.
“Given the grave dangers of smuggling steel products, the Federal Government of Nigeria should act fast and now to immediately enforce all investors’ protective policies that will put a stop to the activities of these economic saboteurs.
“The Standard Organization of Nigeria had in reaction to an allegation of non performance leveled against its officials by the Galvanized, Iron and Steel Manufacturers Association, (GISMA) cleared the air that some manufacturers usually escape its scrutiny through other agencies such as the Nigeria Customs Service due to its lack of security enforcement operational technique.
“There exist a cartel of economic saboteurs who import huge volume of containers every week valued at about $5 million which were never captured under the correct HS code 7210.30.00.00 – 7210.50.00.00 of Nigerian Customs Service portal making the Federal Government to lose an estimated revenue of about N1billion monthly on these smuggled items.
“This is due to the neglect of pre-inspection of any container coming into the country which was hitherto the practice in Nigeria prior to current administration, wrong declaration and conspiracy with releasing customs officers and non proper monitoring of the usage of private jetty and lack of security in lonely ports.
“There is urgent need for the federal government to put in place mechanism that will allow for adequate inspection, clearing, loading and releasing of consignments with genuine identification numbers and codes in order to reduce to the barest minimum, the smuggling of dangerous weapons posing threat to the peace and security of the nation.
“The local steel manufacturers in the industry have the required potential and capacity to meet the nation’s annual demand, which predicated on Central Bank of Nigeria and Bureau of Statistics placement of galvanised and coloured corrugated roofing sheets and wire nails under the 41 items restricted for Foreign Exchange with the support of Budget Office.
“We hereby appeal to the authorities of the Nigeria Customs Service and the Standard Organization of Nigeria to assist President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele, to succeed more in the economic policies aimed at driving industrial revolution in Nigeria,” Abdulmalik said.
