The Oyo State Chapter of Agro Allied Enthics and Value Union has called on Federal Government to review its agreement on Trade Liberalisation Scheme with other West African states.
President of the Chapter, Mr Olusegun Williams told journalists in Lagos last weekend that the review was necessary in view of continued smuggling across the West African borders.
Williams said that smuggling had become a bane to the nation's plan to be self-sufficient in rice production.
The Oyo State Chapter of Agro Allied Enthics and Value Union has called on Federal Government to review its agreement on Trade Liberalisation Scheme with other West African states.
President of the Chapter, Mr Olusegun Williams told journalists in Lagos last weekend that the review was necessary in view of continued smuggling across the West African borders.
Williams said that smuggling had become a bane to the nation's plan to be self-sufficient in rice production.
He said that smuggling had also caused imbalance of trade and dumping of fake products in the country.
Williams said that it would be difficult to encourage local production of rice, create employment, income and value chain if smuggling persisted.
According to him, it is disheartening to note that investments and policies of government are being threatened by incessant smuggling by a few.
“Unscrupulous smugglers find it attractive to smuggle goods from neighbouring countries into Nigeria without paying necessary duties.
“This affects investors’ investment in the country.
“If the Federal Government reviews the scheme and closes its borders to smuggled goods, neighbouring countries will disallow the smuggling of products through their borders,” Williams said.
He said that huge revenue was being lost annually to smugglers who evaded payment of duties.
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