In a bid to combat the food crisis in Nigeria, the Nigeria Customs Service has come up with a novel idea: selling seized food items at low prices to those who need them most.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, unveiled the initiative at the launch of the rice distribution program in Lagos. He said that the rice, which was confiscated from smugglers, would be sold at a fraction of the market price to Nigerians who are facing food insecurity.
To ensure fairness and accountability, the rice buyers will have to show their National Identification Number and sign an undertaking not to resell or hoard the rice.
The rice distribution will cover all areas where the customs operate, reaching millions of Nigerians who are struggling to afford basic foodstuffs. The initiative is part of the customs’ social responsibility and humanitarian service, aimed at providing relief to the hungry and reducing food waste.
