The Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘C’ (FOUC) has intercepted three trucks conveying six 6×20ft containers of logs of unprocessed timber.
This is contained in a release by the Zone ‘C’ Public Relations Officer, Mr Jerry Attah, made available to newsmen in Owerri on Monday.
The Zonal Coordinator for Zone ‘C’, Ag. ACG Olusemire Kayode displayed the intercepted items at the zonal headquarters, Port Harcourt, on Monday, parading two suspects arrested in connection to the seizure.
Kayode noted that the exportation of unprocessed timber contravenes schedule 6 of the Extant Common External Tariff (CET), adding that deforestation comes with negative effects such as desert encroachment and environmental degradation.
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According to him, when tree felling is not checkmated, the ecosystem and its biodiversity are left to suffer.
He decried the economic loss brought upon Nigeria with the exportation of unprocessed logs, adding that employment creation which resulted from local processing of the logs was vital for the youth.
He commended the Controller of the FOUC Comptroller, Yusuf Lawal, and officers of the Unit for their resilience, doggedness and steadfastness in tackling smuggling.
Kayode however, cautioned against attacks on operatives while carrying out their legitimate duties.
NAN
Rivers, Customs,
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