Edu-Biznews recalled that the land borders were shutdown in August,2019 to neigbouring countries in the West African sub-region, to checkmate illegal smuggling of banned products and other Ilicit activities .
But President Muhammadu Buhari acting on the recommendations of the presidential committee on the review of the border closure on Wednesday,ordered the immediate re-opening of four of the land borders at the end of the Federal Executive Council meeting.
Nigeria's Finance Minister, Zainab Ahmed who announced the directive to newsmen in Abuja, listed the affected four land borders to include Seme (South-West),Mfun (South-South), Ilela and Maitagari both in the North-West part of the country.
She however explained that the banned placed on importation of rice, poultry products and other listed items still subsists and would be implemented by the border patrol teams across the country.
"While the four borders are to be immediately reopened , the ban on importation of rice, poultry products and other banned products still subsists and will be implemented by border patrol teams"the minister stated.
She added that the immediate reopening of the four land borders was part of the recommendations of the presidential committee on the reviewed of borders closure.
"I am here to just report that His Excellency, the president approved the recommendations of the committee that I chaired with Minister of Trade and Investment as member, Minister of Interior as member, Minister of Foreign Affairs as member, National Security Adviser as member and Comptroller General of Customs",Zainab said.
According to the minister, "this Committee was mandated to review and advise on the reopening of Nigerian borders and after recommendations, the president approved the reopening of four land borders namely, Seme in South West part of the country, Ilela in the North-West, Maitagari in the North-West part of the country and Mfun in the South-South part of the country,"
She quickly explained that "these four land borders will be reopened immediately while the remaining borders are directed to reopen on or before 31st of December,2020".
Several Nigerians including manufacturers, had called for reopening of thebland borders to ease the cost of doing business in the country, particularly with the neigbouring countries.
No comments:
Post a Comment