President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the immediate reopening of four major land borders in Nigeria.
The four borders are Seme in the South-west part of the country, Ilela in the North-west part of the country, Maitagari in the North-west part of the country and Mfun in the South-south part of the country.
Nigeria’s finance minister, Zainab Ahmed, made this disclosure at the end of Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.
While the four borders are to be immediately reopened, “the ban on importation of rice, poultry and other banned products still subsists and will be implemented by border patrol team,” Mrs Ahmed said.
She explained: “I am here to just report that His Excellency, the President, approved the recommendations of the committee that I chaired with the 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.
“This committee was mandated to review and advise on the reopening of the Nigerian borders and after recommendations, the president approved the reopening of four land borders, namely: Seme in the South-west part of the country, Ilela in the North-west part of the country, Maitagari in the North-west part of the country and Mfun in the South-south part of the country.
“So, these four land land borders will be reopened immediately while the remaining borders are directed to be reopened on or before 31st of December, 2020. Mr. President has also directed on the reopening of the borders that while others are being reopened, the ban on importation of rice, poultry and other banned products still subsists and will be implemented by border patrol team.”
Nigeria shut its land borders last year as parts of government’s sustained efforts to check smuggling and other illicit cross-border activities.
But the nation showed its willingness to re-open the border last month, amid skyrocketing food prices and increased calls for reopening of the borders.
