The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, has expressed hope that the suspension of duties and taxes on imported food items over some time would help reduce food prices.
Adeniyi stated that his service is dedicated to implementing the policy as outlined by the government.
He spoke at the security heads’ meeting in Abuja on Tuesday.
Adeniyi said, “The protest was premised on a number of things, one of them being to end hunger. We discovered that a significant amount of food consumed in Nigeria is imported. Importation takes some time. So one of the things the president has done to cushion the effect of the cost of importation is to suspend customs duties and taxes on imported food items for a period of time.
“We believe that when this is implemented, it will help to bring down prices of food items in the markets. Nigerian Customs is committed to the implementation of this particular fiscal policy as enunciated by the government.
“What does this kind of intervention imply for the local markets? Because we are trying to address the interests of all stakeholders. Those that are going to enjoy these duty waivers and concessions are also being cultivated by Nigerian farmers.”
He said there was a need to ensure the interests of all the stakeholders were considered before the implementation of the policy.
The Customs boss urged Nigerians to be patient, adding that some of the imported items already in the country would be cleared without duties and taxes.
