Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it has intercepted a container with imported soups (stew) and some other eatable items worth N27,960,000 from China.
The intercepted container was said to have been cleared from one of the ports in Lagos. Also, information provided by the Customs Intelligent Unit (CIU) of the NCS was pivotal in this interception, Tribune reports.
This was disclosed in Lagos on Friday, October 19, by deputy comptroller and national coordinator, CGC Strike Force, Abdullahi Kirawa.
The Customs officer lamented that the system has degenerated to the level that Nigerians are now importing stew into the country.
He also disclosed that the imported pots of stew and other eatable items could not be verified as a result of the Chinese Language written on their packs.
According to him, this could pose serious dangers to the consumers.
“How can someone come and import stew into the country? The stew was carefully concealed inside the container. I will advise that Nigerians should ignore xenocentrism and embrace ethnocentrism.
“Our quest for foreign goods and items must be discouraged and we must work hard to embrace and patronise homemade goods including our delicious stew that is prepared from our homes, and stop engaging in this type of business.
“This type of soup poses danger to public health, to the economy and of course our teeming youths. If stew could be imported, then what else are we going to do? So this is something we need to reflect on,” he said.
He also disclosed that some other packed items that looked like mushroom was already deteriorating in the container.
Going further, he said: “This is a call that this type of importation of goods must be discouraged. One of the things to use to solve this problem is public sensitization on the dangers of smuggling.
“Therefore, you and I must work hard to ensure that we spread this news to all nooks and crannies of this country for people to be aware that these are some of the things that pose dangers to their health and must be stopped.”
China Aid reports that Chinese officials are also tearing down couplet door decorations that use Christian language.
According to an anonymous source in Shangqiu, Henan, Christians in the province have been placed under house arrest without charge, with police officers watching their residence.
Title : Customs impound container load of pots of soup worth N27m from China
Description : Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says it has intercepted a container with imported soups (stew) and some other eatable items worth N27,960,000 ...