By Sidi A. Umar
Sokoto
Sultan of Sokoto and President Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Nigeria, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has called on the federal government to review and adjust its policy on rice importation through land boarders in the interest of the common man.
The Sultan made the appeal in Sokoto yesterday when he received the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (retd), who paid him a courtesy call in his Palace.
He said the call became necessary in view of the untold hardship being experienced by common man as a result of high cost of food items occasioned by recent rice import policy.
The Sultan, however, urged Customs authorities to donate items seized from smugglers to needy people rather than burning it.
Earlier, in his address, the Customs boss vowed to block all loopholes to bring a stop to smuggling activities.
“It is sad that most people don’t see smuggling as an offense, but is a serious offence which goes with a minimum of five years jail term if arrested and, therefore, we want to evolve change by enforcing the laws,” he said.
He said the essence was to stimulate and encourage legitimate trade activities and ensure the enforcement of laws that would improve revenue generation.
“We want to boost our revenue base and promote transparency of responsibility.”
He also noted that the rate of trade was low with attendant difficulty in obtaining forex.
He said compliance remain the watch word of the Service and “we want to reiterate that customs will continue to operate within the laws governing it to ensure duties are paid on imported items.”
“We want to ensure to as much as possible stop contraband to encourage our local industries and manufacturers to grow.”
Ali, who also lamented over the illegal importation of small arms and ammunition describing them as “catalysts” to the current security challenges in the country, said “they are negative components posing threats to our lives.”
“They aid terrorism, rustling and kidnappings. All these crimes cannot take place without arms which are threats to security of our country.”
The one-time Military Administrator of Kaduna state appealed to the Sultan and the traditional institution to extend their support in propagating the message, while assuring that the NCS would carry out its duties diligently to strengthen relations with customers.