Sokoto Community Celebrates as Customs Reopen Niger Border
Excitement filled the air in the Illela border community of Sokoto State as the Nigerian Customs Service, Sokoto State Command, announced the reopening of the land border between Nigeria and Niger Republic in the Illela Local Government Area on Thursday.
This decision follows the Federal Government’s order on Wednesday to reopen all Nigerian borders with Niger Republic and restore electricity to the neighboring country.
The move came after the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) lifted the ban imposed on Niger Republic following the military takeover of power in the country.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Abdullahi Tsafe Abubakar, the spokesman for the Sokoto State Customs Command, relayed the announcement by Comptroller Kamal Muhammed regarding the official reopening of the border.
Muhammed emphasized compliance with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to open land and air borders with Niger Republic and lift other sanctions against the country immediately.
He urged cooperation among government agencies and security forces stationed at the border for smooth trade facilitation and information sharing to ensure safe and efficient service delivery.
The Customs Area Controller also expressed appreciation to Customs license agents and the Illela community for their patience and cooperation during the seven-month border closure.Meanwhile, the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Kemi Nandap, instructed all personnel deployed to the Nigeria-Niger border to resume work, as stated in a release by acting Service Public Relations Officer, Mr. Kenneth Kure, on Thursday in Abuja.Additionally, President Tinubu appointed Dr. Dakorinama George as the Director-General of the Border Communities Development Agency, as announced in a statement by Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity.
Dr. George, a former commissioner for works in Rivers State, brings a wealth of experience with a Ph.D. in Construction Management, an MSc in Quantity Surveying and Construction Engineering, and a B.Tech in Quantity Surveying.
He is a fellow of notable associations such as the Certified Institute of Practising Professionals, USA, and the Association of Strategy Professionals, USA.President Tinubu emphasized the importance of integrity, diligence, and dedication in discharging duties for effective administration and management of critical policies and programs in line with the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda for border communities development.Credit: Punch News