Scarcity of foreign rice hits Abuja, Jigawa markets
There has been scarcity of foreign rice weeks after reopening of borders by the Federal Government, newsmen report.
Newsmen report that many traders in some markets in Abuja on Saturday were out of stock of foreign rice in their shops and warehouses.
Hajiya Rahmatu Mohammed, a rice seller in Utako Market in Abuja, said in view of the scarcity, the price of foreign rice had increased in the market.
Learn MoreMohammed said that the scarcity started in the last two weeks.
“In January and February, we have the foreign rice available all over the place in this market, that time we were buying N25,00 and selling at N26,000 but in the last two weeks, it has gone up to N27,000 and N28,000, yet we are not seeing it.
“It is surprising that even our suppliers are now complaining that they are not getting the foreign rice though I don’t know where they are bringing them from.”
She said the Nigerian rice was still cheaper as it was now sold between N21,000 and N23, 000.
Malam Adamu Saleh told newsmen in Gwagwalada market that he was out of stock of foreign rice, saying that the only two bags he has in the store were for specific customer.
Saleh said he had ordered for the supply of foreign rice for more than a week and was hopeful of getting it next week.
He said he never experienced this delay for the receipt of his order and however expressed worry that it might come with price increment.
Peter Innocent told newsmen that the recent increment on foreign rice had discouraged him as he now sells only Nigerian rice.
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Innocent said the demand for local rice had increased over time except few people who insisted in buying foreign rice.
Another Rice distributor in Dutse, Jigawa, Alhaji Danjummai told NAN in a telephone interview that he was out of stock of imported rice.
Danjummai attributed the scarcity to the shortage in the market due to lack of supply by marketers.
Reacting on the development, the Public Relations Officer of Nigeria Customs Service, Joseph Attah, said the scarcity of foreign rice in the market was a sign of the success of the service’s anti- smuggling operation.
Attah said the present customs under the leadership of retired Col Hameed Ali had maintained zero tolerance for smuggling of rice and other prohibited items.
“Customs is committed to ensure that Federal Government’s investment in agriculture will not be a waste because the present administration has done so much on rice production.
“It is our duty to enforce fiscal policy of the government and that is why we are working vehemently to prevent smuggling of rice and other prohibited items”.
He added that the development showed that the recent directive given by Comptroller-General of Customs to officers and men to get rid of foreign rice in the market was working.
NAN recalls that on Feb. 2, the NCS said tougher time was awaiting rice smugglers and those trading in smuggled rice in the country.
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The NCS’s strategies had been re-sharpened while appropriate directive and riot acts had been read by the Comptroller-General of Customs to officers who are in commanding positions.
According to him, Ali has directed them to ensure that rice smugglers and indeed those who deal on smuggled rice do not have respite.
It will also be recalled that on Jan. 31, the Rice Processors Association of Nigeria (RPAN) decried the flooding of the country’s markets with foreign rice and appealed to the Federal Government to criminalise the sales of foreign rice.
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