Business
Rice Importation: Association Urges FG To Relax Borders
The Trans-Boarder Traders Association of Nigeria has appealed to the Federal Government to lift the ban on the importation of rice through land borders.
The National Coordinator of the association, Mr Mikky Okunola, made the appeal in an interview with newsmen at Seme, near Badagry in Lagos State.
Okunola said that the ban had increased smuggling activities through the land borders, noting that smuggling was bad for the economy.
“The Federal Government in its determination to block revenue loopholes in 2011 banned the importation of rice through the country’s land borders.
“The expectation of this was that if rice was allowed to come through the seaports only, it would be available at reasonable prices.
“And no one would have unfair opportunity to escape payment of duties and levies, but this has not been the case.
“Genuine rice importers are required by law to pay customs duty and levies, a condition those who engage in smuggling often try to evade.
“This makes smugglers either to sell at the market price and make excessive profit, or sell slightly below the market price and undercut honest importers.
“Basically, this policy has resulted in outrageous and alarming rate of rice smuggling and the Federal Government should try to reverse this.”
Okunola said the ban had impacted negatively on genuine investors and government’s initiatives to encourage local rice production. He commended the Seme Border Command of the Nigeria Customs Service for its efforts to curtail smuggling.
Business
Kenyan Runners Dominate Berlin Marathons
Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.
Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.
The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.
Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.
“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.
“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”
Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.
In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.
Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.
Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.
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