Customs Agents Applaud FG Decision to Reopen Closed Borders
By Onyinye Apeh
The decision by the federal government to reopen the nation’s borders has been applauded by the President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agent (ANLCA), Iju Tony Nwabunike.
Nwabunike said the government has been able to fulfill the promise it made to customs agents at a private meeting with some officials.
He said that the reopening of the borders would lead to the engagement of customs agents operating in the border areas who according to him have suffered untold hardship because of the closure.
He added that the reopening of the border was another opportunity for more Nigerians who have been involved in cross border trade to return to business.
He advised traders and customs agents to avoid being involved in smuggling in order not to incur the wrath of government.
Traders and customs agents, he added should join the government in the fight against smuggling of arms and ammunition, including other prohibited goods into the country.
According to him, the war against arms proliferation and smuggling of other goods into the country was for the interest of the nation’s security and national economy.
It would be recalled that Nwabunike had earlier assured customs agents of plans to reopen the borders after meeting with some officials of the government who gave a strong promise to that effect.
This was followed by another assurance by President Muhammadu Buhari who also said about two weeks ago that government would reopen the borders.
The decision to reopen the borders on Wednesday was taken during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held in Abuja.
It would be recalled that the four borders have been closed since August last year.
There have been lamentations over the closed borders because of the hardship it has brought on genuine international traders.
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