Illegal importers of frozen foods into Nigeria through the land borders and seal cold rooms will henceforth be arrested, prosecuted and fined.
Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, the Minister of state for Agriculture and Rural Development, announced this while speaking with newsmen in Abuja today, adding that the government would also set up a taskforce to seal and prosecute illegal operators of cold rooms.
According to him, the move is to encourage local production and exports, as the country’s annual demand on fish is currently at 3.2 million tonnes.
The ministry of state for Agriculture and Rural Development will be collaborating with the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Marine Police to actualise the plan.
Offenders would pay a fine of $250,000 or attract five years imprisonment or both in addition to the forfeiture and destruction of the produce as stipulated by the law.
No comments:
Post a Comment