The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reopened the international border in Kamba town in Dandi Local Government Area of Kebbi State to promote international trading between Nigeria and the neighbouring countries of Niger and Benin Republics.

This was contained in a statement issued by the spokesperson for the Kebbi Area Command of the NCS, SC Mohammed Tajuddeen-Salisu, on Sunday, March 17, 2024.

Tajuddeen-Salisu noted that the newly appointed Customs Area Comptroller, Kebbi Command, Iheanacho Ernest-Ojike, on Friday, March 15, reopened the border for international trade as directed by the Comptroller-General of Customs,  Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.

He quoted Ernest-Ojike as saying that the border reopening was aimed at paving the way for legitimate trade that would impact positively on nation-building.

Ernest-Ojike said: “This is not a permission for importation of prohibited items that would ransack the economy and compromise national security.

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“The officers and men of the command are ever ready to facilitate legitimate trade and act within the ambit of the law to simplify trade across the Kamba Border.

“This is as long as stakeholders import what is permitted by Customs extant laws, make proper declaration and pay appropriate duties to the Federal Government coffers”.

He added that food grains were still prohibited for exportation out of the country, considering the current scarcity of food in the country.

The District Head of Kamba, Mamuda Fana, commended the effort of the Federal Government, saying it was a new ray of hope to his people who, he said, had an interest in cross-border businesses and small-scale business owners domiciled in the area.

“I promise the Federal Government and NCS that my people will be cautioned on illegitimate trade and the advantage of reopening of the border to the country,” Fana said.

The Star