Presidential Directives on Border Closure : Customs CG Visits Ilela Border, Monitors Compliance

Presidential Directives on Border Closure :
Customs CG Visits Ilela Border, Monitors Compliance

In line with the Presidential directives on immediate border closure, the Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service, CGC Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, has visited Ilela border station to monitor compliance.

The visit to Ilela border by CGC Adeniyi was sequel to the forceful removal of a democratically elected government in Niger Republic, which prompted Nigerian Government to shut down Nigeria-Niger borders.
The Customs Boss re-echoed President Tinubu’s cardinal reason for taking the step, saying that the exercise is not meant to infuse hardship on Nigerians.

CGC Adeniyi during his visit to Illela border station assessed enforcement of the Presidential directives and expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance by the residents.

According to him, the measure was a decision taken by ECOWAS, which the Nigerian President chairs, adding; “we are optimistic that this effort will yield positive results. I must tell you that President Tinubu is committed to restoring peace in the region.”

He also said that the exercise will secure Nigeria’s Democracy and social stability, considering the current state of uncertainty in the neighbouring Niger Republic.

Responding to questions from newsmen as to whether the exercise will affect Customs’ mandate of generating revenue, the CGC said the Service is aware of the situation; and has already taken proactive measures to address it strategically.

The Customs Boss emphasised that the administration of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu is committed to protecting the well-being of the citizens and their businesses.

He assured :  “I am optimistic that the borders will soon be opened and businesses of Nigerians will continue to thrive.

“President Tinubu, as a champion of the region has the responsibility to promote trade and we are all aware that trade can’t be achieved where there is no peace.

“However, considering what is happening in Niger, which affects the political stability of the sovereign nation, my mission here is to restate the directives of President Tinubu as the ECOWAS Chairman.”

Similarly, the CGC engaged traditional rulers and other stakeholders at Illela border.

Also, the Chairman, Association of Customs License Agents, Alhaji Aminu Dan-Iya, who spoke on behalf of the stakeholders, consoled residents around the affected area and the entire stakeholders to understand the situation, stressing that the decision is for the benefit of all and there is no need to panic.

In another development, the CGC paid a courtesy visit to Sarkin Gobir of Gwadabawa, Alhaji Lawali Muhammad Zayyana, to seek his support towards achieving the mandates of the service.

Addressing the Emir, the CGC said; “today, with our delegation, we are embarking on a journey to Illela border station, to inspect and monitor the level of compliance of President Tinubu’s order of closing the borders and to also interact with members of the border community.”