Covid-19: Customs CG Approves Food Items worth N3.2bn as Palliatives

The Comptroller-General, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Col. Hameed Ali (rtd), has approved different food items worth N3.2 billion as palliatives to cushion the effects of Covid-19 pandemic in Nigeria.

The approval was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja by the NCS Public Relations Officer, Mr. Joseph Attah.

He said that the relief items are to assist the Federal Government continuous efforts to alleviate pains associated with ongoing lockdown in some parts of the country as a result of the spread of Covid-19 pandemic.

The CGC approved the release of 46,000 metric tons of rice, 36,495 kegs of vegetables oil and other items valued at N3.2 billion for distribution.

Others items, he said are 3,428 kegs of palm oil, 136,705 cartons of tomatoes paste, 2,951 cartons of spaghetti, 1,253 packets of noodles, 828 bales of wrappers and 2,300 rolls of lace fabric respectively.

Atta also noted that only edible items certified by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for human consumption would be released to the public.

“As a responsible agency of the government, customs appreciates the opportunity of contributing its quota to the Federal Government’s continuous efforts to provide relief for Nigerians in this difficult time.

“NCS remains committed to strictly adhering to all extant laws governing seized and overtime cargoes,” he added.

Editing by ‘Biodun Soyele