Customs Sells Seized Rice to over 78 Vulnerable Persons, 3,000 Others

No fewer than 78 physically-challenged persons and other Nigerians who benefited from the subsidised 25kg foreign rice commended the federal government and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).

Some of the beneficiaries expressed appreciation in an interview with newsmen  in Lagos yesterday.
The distribution exercise commenced at 8.00 a.m. with support of the security agencies including the Nigeria Police, DSS, Nigerian Army, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) among others.
It was observed that many less privileged Nigerians were beneficiaries of the government relief exercise.
Some of the beneficiaries on the first day of the distribution exercise were, artisans, teachers, religious bodies, less privileges person, Sweepers from various areas in Lagos.

One for the Beneficiaries, Mr. Taiwo Lawal, a physically challenged person, busted in tears why appreciating the federal government for considering them in the distributing of the food items.

“This have never happened in the history of Nigeria where majority of Nigerians will benefit from relief items genuinely without preference.
“If government engages in more of these type of gestures, prices of goods would reduce for common people to afford,” Lawal said.
Another vulnerable per cent, Mrs. Amdalat Balogun, who lost her sight from birth, said she got the news from the radio and quickly borrowed N10,000 from her neighbour to enable her benefits from the rice.

Balogun said she bought the rice because of Ramadan fasting and appreciated the initiator as well as the federal government.
She also pleaded with government to improve more of the subsidised food to sustained the livelihood of the ordinary Nigerians.
The Chief Imam of Magodo Phase 2, Central Mosque, Imam Abdul-Semiu Kelani, thanked the government and prayed for successful regime of the present administration.

A cleric, Emmanuel Omoroke from St. Louis Catholic Church, who came on behalf of the indigent members explained the level of hungers in the country.
A sweeper, with the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Mrs. Morufat Bello, appreciated the government for the opportunity.
There was crowd outside the gate of the customs premises where the distribution took place.

The Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, while addressing the pressure groups, religious leaders and other beneficiaries pleaded with them not to divert the foodstuffs to the market.
Adeniyi said the federal government had mandated them to give to the less privileged people in the country.