The apex body of Indian importers has sought External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj's intervention after Nigeria suddenly banned the import of rice leaving 317 containers of an Indian exporter stuck at the Nigerian port there. In a letter to Sushma, the Indian Importers Chambers of Commerce and Industry (IICCI) pointed out that the consignment of rice had landed at Tinapa free zone, Calabar Cross river state, Nigeria, on March 18, 2017 while the circular banning import of rice by the custom authority of the African nation was issued on March 30.
IICCI president AK Saxena told The Pioneer that the exporter and his representative have tried their best to get the containers released but they could not succeed. "Now, the Nigerian authorities are pressurizing him to ship back the consignment to India. The businessman who sent the consignment has no money to pay for the freight. The voyage time and time taken in documentation at the Nigerian and Indian ports will ensure the rice will be worthless," Saxena said.
"The shipment had reached much before and held up illegally by the customs. The importer in Nigeria ran here and there to all Government offices to find out the reason for stoppage of clearance. Then the High Commissioner sent a letter on June 12, 2017 to Minister of Finance.
Unfortunately there is no minister of finance in Nigeria and his charge is being looked after by the President. Despite repeated emails and telephonic communication to the Indian High Commission, they have not yielded any results, he said adding the importer has all valid licence and permission.
"Joint Secretary West Africa is also not available for resolving and assisting in this matter," the letter said. Saxena said that the importer has also approached the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Justice, Abuja but nothing has happened.