Nigeria: Customs Destroy N10 Million Expired Goods in Sokoto

Source from:  Daily Trust (Abuja) 5 November 2007 11/06/2007

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Sokoto/Kebbi/Zamafara, command have destroyed expired goods worth about N10 million. Speaking at the venue of the destruction in Arkilla Area of Wamakko local government area at the weekend, the Comptroller of the command, Musa D. Hwere, said the destruction of the goods was carried out after approval was granted from the Customs Command headquarters. The Comptroller said it was disheartening to note that despite the high level of campaign against smuggling, some Nigerians still invested their hard earned resources on prohibited goods adding, that the majority of items listed for destruction were second hand tyres which were absolutely prohibited, adding; "we all know that the wisdom of government behind the ban of such item is principally to save lives through accident reduction". He stressed further that other items on the prohibition list were banned in order to protect local industries from undue competition from foreign firms, noting; "we need to have industrial revolution in this country and every one of us should be a stakeholder in the actualization of this dream". He therefore advised businessmen within the axis to desist from the illicit trade as the officers and men of the command would continue to match every move they make with immediate arrest. Items that were publicly destroyed included 99 pieces of used tyres, 180 pieces of used rims, 215 cartons and 65 rolls of tobacco cigarettes, 95 cartons and 15 bags of powdered milk, 74 cartons of china tea, 40 pieces of wood. Enditem