FG To Reopen Land Borders Soon, Says Minister
The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, gave an indication during an interview with State House correspondents on Wednesday that The nation’s land borders that have been closed since August 2019 may be reopened soon.
Ahmed said the presidential committee set up on the matter has completed its job and has recommended the reopening of the borders.
She said the committee would soon submit its report to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), following which a formal pronouncement would be made on the matter.
The minister did not, however, disclose when the report will be submitted and how soon the land borders will be reopened.
Nigeria had in August 2019 closed its land borders to curtail illegal importation of drugs, small arms and agricultural products into country from neighbouring West African nations.
The closure was, however, greeted by mixed reactions from professional organisations, economists and individuals.
Heads of countries like Ghana and Benin Republic had also appealed to the President to reconsider the closure but Buhari maintained that the borders would remain closed until the final report of the committee set up on the matter was considered.
