The guidelines for the suspension of customs duty and taxes on imported food items are to commence next week, the Federal Government announced on Tuesday.
In July the Federal Government approved a 150-day duty-free window to allow the importation of maize, husked brown rice, and wheat as part of measures to combat rising food inflation across the country.
The initiative was based on the implementation of the Presidential Accelerated and Stabilisation Advancement Plan.
Speaking at a meeting of heads of security agencies in Abuja on Tuesday, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, said the implementation of the policy would commence once the guidelines are ready.
He explained that the delay experienced in the implementation of the policy was to ensure that the interests of all the stakeholders, including farmers, were considered.
The Customs boss urged Nigerians to be patient, adding that some of the imported items already in the country would be cleared without duty and taxes.
Adeniyi expressed hope that the suspension of duty and taxes on imported food items over some time would help reduce food prices.
