THE Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has revealed plans to distribute food items it seized to Nigerians to reduce the hunger ravaging the nation.
The NCS’ public relations officer, Abdullahi Maiwada, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, February 20.
He, however, said the distribution would be done after all the food items had been certified fit for human consumption.
He explained that the situation became imperative to alleviate the pains caused by food scarcity.
According to Maiwada, the NCS will facilitate the direct disposal of the food items forfeited to the Federal Government.
“The modalities for the disposal will be communicated through NCS formations nationwide, with a firm commitment to transparency, fairness, and public safety. It is our pledge that this exercise will be managed diligently to ensure that the benefits reach those most in need.
“The NCS remains resolute in its dedication to safeguarding the nation’s food security and advancing the economic well-being of all Nigerians. With the unwavering support and cooperation of the public, we will surmount these challenges and pave the way for a more prosperous future for our beloved nation,” he added.
The ICIR reports that Nigerians are expressing anger as many of them can no longer endure the prevailing economic hardship, evidenced by hikes in food prices and other essential commodities.
Recently, protesters have gone to the streets in Ibadan, Lagos, Osun and Niger states to express their frustrations over commodities’ surging prices.
Civil servants in Niger State will on Wednesday, February 21, commence an indefinite strike over the government’s failure to meet their demands.
Prominent among the workers’ demands is improved welfare.
Similarly, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) will embark on nationwide protest next week should the Federal Government fail to listen to its demand.
The union had given a 14-day ultimatum to pressure the government to honour the 16-point agreement reached with it in October 2023.
President Bola Tinubu’s fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate unification have continued to hit harder on the average Nigerian since he announced the policies after taking over power on May 29, 2023.