RED ALERT: Customs, NAFDAC Cautioned To Subject Food Items With Zero Duty To Test Before Clearance

By Roland Ekama

Following approval by the federal government on the regulation for the implementation of Zero Percent Duty Rate (0%) and Value Added Tax (VAT) exemption on selected basic food items , a social commentator and lawyer, Barrister Gabriel Odwafi has warned relevant government agencies at the ports
to monitor the health status of the type of food Importation into the country.

This ,he said was against the backdrop of the guidelines put in place by management of the customs on basic food items eligible for zero percent duty rate.

Odwafi who gave the warning on Thursday, during a radio programme on Eko 89.7 FM Breakfast Show in Lagos , faulted customs guidelines over failure to enlighten the public about the health and standards status of the food items.

The lawyer tasked the Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON) and National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) and Port Health deployed to the seaports to be on red alert in furtherance to subject the imports to laboratory test in a bid to ascertain the healthy consumption status of the commodities.

He said monitoring, examining and testing of the food items must not be neglected by the authorities, pointing out that the import policy is a free for all trade whereby businessmen can take the advantage to ship in all manners of food into the country.

He noted that the importation of such food items must meet the standards of Nigerian, saying that the commodities must be fit for consumption by the people of Nigeria.

According to him, Nigerian farmers grow organic crops which are more healthier compared to other modified food stuff , but added that the nature of the in-coming commodities are relatively unknown, thus relevant agencies must rise to the occasion by examining the standard before they exit the ports .

He said “Let’s not say we are hungry then bring food products that are not healthy for our body. ”

The items are – Husked Brown Rice, Grain Sorghum , Millet , Maize, Wheat, and Beans.

The Federal Ministry of Finance stated that it will periodically provide the NCS with a list of importers and their approved quotas to facilitate the importation of these basic food items within the framework of this policy.

The policy requires that at least 75% of imported items be sold through recognised commodities exchanges, with all transactions and storage recorded.

The policy has been effective from 15th July 2024 and will remain in force until 31st December 2024.