Comfort Oluwatobi
In a bid to stabilize food prices and ensure safety standards, the Federal Government has announced a 150-day duty-free import window for essential food commodities, including maize, wheat, husked brown rice, and cowpeas, with a recommended retail price (RRP) tag to prevent price gouging.
This move will make the prices of essential foods to soon crash as the Federal Government, Monday on July 8 2024 suspended duties, tariffs and taxes on food items imported through land and sea borders.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, made the disclosure in Abuja during a briefing.
Kyari also disclosed that the Federal Government has inaugurated the Renewed Hope National Livestock Transformation Implementation Committee to develop and implement policies that prioritize livestock development and align with the National Livestock Transformation Plan.
He stated that the listed food items, which include maize, wheat, husked brown rice and cowpeas, will enjoy a 150-day Duty-Free Import Window.
According to him, the Federal Government has announced a 150-day Duty-Free Import Window for Food Commodities, suspension of duties, tariffs and taxes for the importation of certain food commodities (through land and sea borders).
“These commodities include maize, husked brown rice, wheat and cowpeas.Under this arrangement, imported food commodities will be subjected to a Recommended Retail Price (RRP).
“I am glad to reiterate that the Government’s position exemplifies standards that would not compromise the safety of the various food items for consumption.
“In addition to the importation by the private sector, the Federal Government will import 250,000MT of wheat and 250,000MT of maize. The imported food commodities in their semi-processed state will target supplies to the small-scale processors and millers across the country.”