Border closure: Seme Customs talks tough …Calls for total compliance with FG’s directive

Border closure: Seme Customs talks tough

.Calls for total compliance with FG’s directive

By Udeme Clement

The Customs Area Controller, CAC, Seme Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Comptroller Mohammed Uba, has called on Nigerians residing within the border communities to restrict their movement across Seme border, in adherence to the directive by the Federal Government.

Comptroller Uba who is known to be very proactive in enforcing government policies explained, “Such restriction is important, in compliance with government’s directive, as Seme Command must ensure total enforcement of this order.”

He said, “Seme border has been closed since 12 noon today, following the directive by government through the Minister of Interior, that all land borders in Nigeria be closed from 12 noon on Friday to 12 noon on Sunday, to restrict movements across the borders during Presidential Election”.

He urged, “We are using this medium to appeal to the public, especially those within the border communities to take note of this directive and ensure total compliance, as we are carrying out strict enforcement of this law”.

On effectiveness of the Joint Border Post, JBP, at Seme to trade facilitation, Comptroller Uba pointed out, “The JBP has been very useful in harmonisation of processes at the border between Nigeria and Republic of Benin”.

He informed, “The new border was built by European Union for Nigeria and Republic of Benin. It is being managed by ECOWAS. It is called One-Stop-Border-Post in European concept and Joint Border Post in African concept.

“This JBP implies one entry, one exit and one control, where all security agencies carry out joint examination of cargo to fast track clearance procedures. The JBP also paves the way for integration and information sharing among security agencies of both countries for effective policing of the border”.