Tinubu To Decide On Border Reopening, Says Customs CG

Eko Hot Blog reports that the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, has stated that only President Bola Tinubu has the authority to decide on the reopening of the country’s borders.

He made this statement during an interaction session with members of the Kongolam border community in Mai’adua Local Government Area of Katsina State.

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Responding to agitations for the reopening of the borders, Adeniyi assured that engagements and consultations were being held regarding the issue. In his words, “Once consultations are concluded, a decision will be taken on the matter.”

The Customs CG emphasized that their operations are always guided by law and are carried out based on delegated powers. “I assure you that our operations are always guided by law, and we only operate on delegated powers,” he said.

Adeniyi revealed that the concerns and complaints raised by residents of border communities have been communicated to President Tinubu, who has directed the release of confiscated food items with the condition that they will only be sold in Nigerian markets.

“We have communicated the concerns and complaints by residents of the border communities to the President, and because he has listening ears, he directed that we should release confiscated food items, on the condition that they will only be sold in the Nigerian markets,” Adeniyi stated.

Furthermore, the Comptroller-General disclosed that the Nigeria Customs Service is collaborating with the police and other sister agencies to address obstacles hindering free trade in border areas. “We are collaborating with the police and other sister agencies to address obstacles militating against free trade in the border areas,” he said.

Adeniyi emphasized the need for collective efforts to assist the government in enforcing laws prohibiting the exportation of food items during this period of national food insufficiency. “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 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 stressed.

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The decision on whether to reopen the country’s borders now rests with President Bola Tinubu, who is expected to make a determination after consultations have been concluded.

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