Posted by By ALEX AKAO on
Two containers laden with 1,500 cartons of toothpicks have been impounded at the Apapa port by men of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), importation of toothpicks into the country is prohibited.
Two containers laden with 1,500 cartons of toothpicks have been impounded at the Apapa port by men of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), importation of toothpicks into the country is prohibited.
Customs Area Controller of Apapa port one Command, Mr Rasheed Taiwo expressed unhappiness over the development asking rhetorically; 'Why would some Nigerians spend their hard earned money to import large consignment of toothpicks into the country?
In the past, unscrupulous importers had imported containers loads of sand into the country. Such imports were for the purpose of siphoning foreign exchange out of the country.
The recent importation of toothpicks came on the hills of a recent crackdown by the customs on Apapa port noted for smuggling.
Customs is also on the trail of importers of a large consignment of cotton buds (the type used in the cleaning of ears).
Between September 12 and 23, the Customs impounded 17 containers of contraband from a bonded terminal located outside the port. Another set of 26 containers, four of such which were loaded with Italian furniture, two with suitcases and others with textiles, were also impounded.
The goods are valued at over N100 million.
•The Nigeria-Britain Association's Annual Lecture 2005 was held on October 6, 2005 at the Agip Recital Hall, Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos. Chief Emeka Anyaoku, former Commonwealth Secretary General was the Guest Speaker at the occasion which had in attendance, several eminent Nigerians like Chief T.O.S Benson, Professor (Mrs) Alele-Williams, Brigadier-General Mobolaji Johnson and Chief Ralph Alabi, Chairman Guinness Nigeria Plc. His Excellency, Mr Richard Gozney. The British High Commissioner to Nigeria was also in attendance. The event was sponsored by Guinness Plc.