From Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin Kebbi
The Controller of Nigeria’s Custom Service (NCS) Kebbi State Area Command, Comptroller Iheanacho Ernest Ojike, has opened the Kamba border post which shares boundary with Niger Republic.
Ojike,noted that the reopening of the international border was sequel to the directives of Comptroller General of Customs(CGC) Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
Public Relations Officer(PRO)Kebbi Area Command,SOC Muhammed Tajudeen Salusu confirmed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Birnin Kebbi.
According to him, ” the newly appointed Customs Area Controller (CAC), Kebbi Command, Comptroller Iheanacho Ernest Ojike has yesterday ,reopened Kamba Border for international trade as directed by Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.
“Speaking shortly after reopening the border, in the midst of district head of Kamba Alh. Mamuda Fana, stakeholders and other sister agencies, the CAC said Kamba is a strategic border with major share in Kebbi Revenue generation.
“He further stated that the border reopening was aimed at paving way for legitimate trade that would impact positively on Nation building, not a permission for importation of prohibited items that would ransack the economy and compromise national security.
‘Going further, Ojike emphasized that officers and men of the Command are ever ready to facilitate legitimate trade and act within the ambit of the law to simplify trade across Kamba Border seamlessly as long as stakeholders import what is permitted by Customs extant laws, make proper declaration and pay appropriate duties to the Federal Government coffers”.
Ojike, was also quoted to informed the stakeholders at the border post, that Food grains are still prohibited for exportation out of the country due to the scarcity of food in the country.
In his remark ,the District Head of Kamba Alh. Mamuda Fana was said to have commended federal government for reopening of the border.
“He emphasised that the reopening of the border is a new wave of hope to his people who have interest in cross-border businesses, and even small scale business owners domiciled in Kamba town and promised to caution his people on illegitimate trade.”