The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) says only President Bola Tinubu has the prerogative to reopen borders in the country.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, said this at an interaction session with members of the Kongolam border community in Mai’adua Local Government Area of Katsina State on Saturday, March 9, 2024.
Adeniyi, who was reacting to agitation for the reopening of the borders, assured that engagements and consultations were being made regarding the issue.
“Once consultations are concluded, a decision will be taken on the matter,” he said.
Adeniyi stated that the NCS would focus on removing obstacles militating against free trade in line with the present administration’s agenda of fostering economic prosperity.
He said proactive measures had been employed to reduce the number of checkpoints along the border posts and promote synergy between the Service personnel and traders.
The Customs boss added: “We are conscious of the concerns of the border communities, particularly with regards to the number of checkpoints and the closure of land borders.
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“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.
“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.”
Adeniyi said Customs was collaborating with the police and other security agencies to address obstacles militating against free trade in the border areas.
He said: “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.
“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.”
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