Nigeria Customs Service has restated its commitment to restricting the importation of rice.
The Area Comptroller Customs, Oyo/Osun Command, Temitope Ogunkua, made the declaration on Saturday at the command headquarters in Ibadan.
Mr Ogunkua advised traders and importers of rice to perfect their papers for the right channel through the ports.
He insisted that there was no going back on the rice ban, as it had adversely affected Nigeria’s revenue generation.
The Customs officer also lamented that smugglers had explored the loopholes in porous borders to bring in rice without paying duties.
The Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, had implored the Comptroller General of Customs, Colonel Hameed Ali (Rtd), during a visit to the state, to rethink the ban and give room for alternatives to be provided before shutting out imported rice.
Some of the traders and consumers have also decried the ban on rice importation through the borders, coupled with the fuel scarcity, epileptic power supply and non-payment of salaries.
.....Channels TV