•Customs officers
The newly appointed Customs Area Controller (CAC), Kebbi Command, Comptroller Iheanacho Ernest Ojike at the weekend, reopened the Kamba border in Kebbi State for international trade.
The reopening according to Mohammed Tajuddeen Salisu, a Superintendent of Customs and Public Relations Officer, Kebbi Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service, in a statement for the Customs Area Controller, said the reopening was in accordance with the directive of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, reports Daily Independent.
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 remained 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.
He warned that the reopening must not be a permission for importation of prohibited items that would impact negatively on the economy and compromise national security.
Ojike emphasised that officers and men of the Command were ever ready to facilitate legitimate trade, act within the ambit of the law to simplify seamless trade across Kamba border as long as stakeholders import what is permitted by Customs extant laws, make proper declaration and pay appropriate duties to the federal government coffers.
He noted that food grains are still prohibited from export, considering the scarcity of food in the country.
Mallam Fana, while responding commended the effort of the federal government.
He emphasised that the border reopening was 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.
He promised to caution and guide his people on the need to ensure illegitimate trade.
In another development, the CAC paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Gwandu, Major General Muhammed Bashir Iliyasu (Rtd).
The visit was also to seek his blessings and cooperation as the royal father of the state.
He also solicited the cooperation of other sister agencies to gain their mutual cooperation and collaboration towards ensuring steady trade across borders, curb smuggling activities and provide security to the host communities.
