The Rice Processors Association of Nigeria (RIPAN) has urged the President-Elect, Bola Tinubu, to prioritize stricter border control to combat the increasing smuggling of rice into the country.
The Director-General of RIPAN, Mr. Andy Ekwelem, spoke to the media in Abuja, highlighting the resurgence of rice smuggling into Nigeria since the borders were opened in 2021.
Ekwelem called on the incoming president to reposition the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and reorganize the current border surveillance system to enable the NCS and other security agencies to more effectively halt the smuggling of rice into the country.
He emphasized the need to take emergency action on repositioning the NCS for effective manning of the borders, as smuggling of rice across land borders has been a major challenge for Nigeria’s rice sub-sector.
Ekwelem further stated that Nigeria’s current border surveillance system should be reorganized to enable customs and other agencies to carry out all-weather surveillance.
He suggested deploying modern security equipment such as Long-Range Surveillance Drones, video monitors, and night vision scopes to bolster border security.
Ekwelem lamented the negative effects of rice smuggling on Nigeria’s economy and rice industry, which grew exponentially between 2020 and 2021 when the federal government closed the borders with the Benin Republic.
He urged the incoming administration to devise a strategy to deal with smugglers and economic saboteurs to ensure the success of food security programs and the private sector’s investments in the rice sector.
The call to action comes as Nigeria continues to grapple with the challenges of food insecurity and the need to boost local rice production to reduce the country’s dependence on imports.