Tinubu: Border Reopening

The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, asserted on Saturday that only President Bola Tinubu possesses the authority to reopen the borders in the country. This statement was made during an interactive session with members of the Kongolam border community in Mai’adua Local Government Area of Katsina State.

Addressing the ongoing demands for the reopening of the borders, Adeniyi assured that discussions and consultations were underway to address the issue. He emphasized that a decision would be made once the consultations were concluded.

Furthermore, Adeniyi underscored the commitment of the Customs Service to eliminate barriers hindering free trade in alignment with the current administration’s objective of fostering economic prosperity.

In efforts to address concerns raised by border communities, Adeniyi highlighted proactive measures taken, including the reduction of checkpoints along border posts and the promotion of collaboration between Service personnel and traders.

Acknowledging the worries of the border communities regarding the number of checkpoints and border closures, Adeniyi emphasized that the Service operates within the confines of the law and on delegated powers. He shared those concerns and complaints had been conveyed to the President, and in response, confiscated food items were directed to be released with the condition that they would only be sold in Nigerian markets.

During his engagements, Adeniyi also disclosed collaborative efforts with the Police and other sister agencies to address challenges affecting free trade in border areas. Recognizing the presence of markets around borders, he emphasized the Service’s commitment to monitoring and ensuring that food produced in Nigeria remains within the country, particularly during the current period of national emergency related to food insufficiency.

In summary, the Comptroller-General stressed the need for collective efforts to assist the government in enforcing laws prohibiting the exportation of food items, reinforcing the importance of consuming locally produced food during the ongoing national emergency.