Food scarcity: Comptroller-General of Customs breaks silence on reopening of Nigerian borders

The comptroller-general of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, on Saturday, said that only President Bola Tinubu has the prerogative to reopen borders in the country.

He stated this at an interaction session with members of the Kongolam border community in Mai’adua Local Government Area of Katsina State, who agitated for the reopening of borders.

“Once consultations are concluded, a decision will be taken on the matter,” said the customs boss.

According to Mr Adeniyi, the service will focus on removing obstacles against free trade in line with the present administration’s agenda of fostering economic prosperity.

He said proactive measures had been employed to reduce the number of checkpoints along the border post and promote synergy between the service personnel and traders.

“We are conscious of the concerns of the border communities, particularly with regard to the number of checkpoints and the closure of land borders

“We have communicated the concerns and complaints by residents of the border communities to the president.

“Because he has listening ears, and directed that we should release confiscated food items, on the condition that it only be sold in Nigerian markets,” he said.

Mr Adeniyi said customs would continue to monitor markets around borders to ensure that locally produced food items are not exported.

“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 said.

He said the Export Prohibition Act banned exportation of maize, rice, beans, yam, millet and sorghum.

While commending the synergy between the service and other security agencies, Mr Adeniyi thanked other stakeholders for their support.

Mr Adeniyi also visited former President Muhammad Buhari and the Emir of Daura, Umar Faruq-Umar.

NAN