The Trans-Boarder Traders Association of Nigeria on Thursday appealed to the Federal Government to lift the ban on the importation of rice through land borders.

The National Coordinator of the association, Mr Okunola Mikky, made the appeal in Badagry, Lagos State.

Mikky said that the ban had increased smuggling activities through the land borders, adding that smuggling had negative impact on the economy of a country.

"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 is 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.

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