FG Lists Conditions for Reopening Borders
*No more repackaging, diversion of imports through neighbouring ports
The federal government Monday listed conditions for reopening the nation’s borders closed about three months ago.
Among the conditions is that neighbouring countries must respect the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) rules of origin for goods they intend to bring into Nigeria.
Secondly, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Godfrey Onyeama said any imported item must at least have 30 per cent local input, warning that Nigeria would no longer accept a situation in which goods from other foreign countries are repackaged through the neighbouring countries into Nigeria.
Onyema who spoke in Abuja after a meeting attended by the Minister of Interior, Mr. Rauf Aregbesola and the Comptroller General of Customs, Rtd Col. Hammed Ali added that such imported goods must enter the country in their original form and must be escorted from the port of the neighbouring countries to Nigeria’s border.
He insisted that for goods predominantly produced in ECOWAS member state, the rules of origin must be satisfied.
According to him, “The step undertaken by Nigeria and of course the repercussions of those and the desire of Mr. President that the issues that are being addressed and that caused the drill to be taking place at our border should be addressed as quickly as possible.
“So, in this context, within the next two weeks, a tripartite committee is to be convened and hosted here in Nigeria, comprising the delegation- committee from Benin republic, from Niger and from Nigeria. So, each country will come with the heads of the ministries of foreign affair, interior, finance, the customs, immigration and the NIA, the security segment. So this meeting will take place within the next two weeks.
“This is an absolute condition that will not be compromised. So, any transit in goods coming into this country from transiting ECOWAS member state must ensure that. For goods predominantly produced in ECOWAS member state, the rules of origin must be satisfied.”
He also said that all the warehouses near the borders will be dismantled, adding that they must be some distance away from the borders.
He also added that movement of goods around the ECOWAS borders will not allow all types of goods.
He also announcd that only official passport is allowed to be used for those entering Nigeria through the borders.
Meanwhile, the Comptroller General of Customs Service also told newsmen that the January 31, 2020 given as the end of the first phase of the security operation does not imply that the border would be reopened on that date.
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