Mr Adewale Adeniyi, Comptroller-General of Customs, stated on Saturday that deliberations on the reopening of borders are ongoing.
He emphasized that only President Bola Tinubu has the authority to unlock the country’s borders.
He made the statement during an interaction with members of the Kongolam border village in Katsina’s Mai’adua Local Government Area.
Adeniyi, responding to calls for the reopening of the borders, stated that conversations and consultations were underway.
“Once consultations are concluded, a decision will be taken on the matter,” he said.
Free trade, Border communities
According to Adeniyi, the Service will focus on removing obstacles militating against free trade in line with the present administration’s agenda of fostering economic prosperity.
He said that proactive measures had been employed to reduce the number of checkpoints along the border posts and promote synergy between the service personnel and traders.
“We are conscious of the concerns of the border communities, particularly with regard to the number of checkpoints and the closure of land borders
“I assure you that our operations are always guided by law and we only operate on delegated powers.
“We have communicated the concerns and complaints by residents of the border communities to the President.
Related News
“Because he has listening ears, and directed that we should release confiscated food items, on the condition that it only be sold in Nigerian markets,” he said.
Adeniyi said the Service was collaborating with the Police and other sister agencies to address obstacles militating against free trade in the border areas.
“We know that there are markets around our borders, and we know that not all of them are targeted at taking goods across the borders.
“We will continue to monitor and ensure that food that is produced in Nigeria remains and is consumed in Nigeria. This is because we are in a period of national emergency that has to do with food insufficiency.
“And that is why we must collectively work together to assist the government to enforce the various laws prohibiting exportation of food items at this time,” he said.
Export Prohibition Act
He said the Export Prohibition Act banned the exportation of maize, rice, beans, yam, millet, and sorghum.
While commending the synergy between the Service and other security agencies, Adeniyi thanked other stakeholders for their support.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Adeniyi also visited former President Muhammad Buhari and the Emir of Daura, Alhaji Umar Faruq-Umar.
Over a week after the resolution of the Economic Community of West African States for all land borders between its member countries and the Niger Republic to be open, residents of the Illela Local Government Area of Sokoto State, last week appealed to the Federal Government for immediate action and its opening.
(NAN)