SAT, AUGUST 05 2023-theGBJournal | Following the recent overthrow of a Democratically elected government in Niger Republic, the Acting Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, has re-echoed President Tinubu’s cardinal reason for taking the measure, saying that the exercise was not meant to infuse hardship on Nigerians.
The Federal Government shut down the Nigeria-Niger borders shortly after the coup.
The CGC, who was on a working visit to Illela Border Station on Friday to monitor and assess the implementation of the exercise, expressed delight 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 that “we are optimistic that this effort will yield positive results, and I must tell you that President Tinubu is committed to restoring peace in this axis.”
He also said that the exercise would 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.
He reiterated that the administration of President Ahmad Bola Tinubu is committed to protecting the well-being of the citizens and their businesses, saying that “I have the optimism that borders will soon be opened and businesses of Nigerians will continue to thrive.”
He said, “President Tinubu, as a champion of the region, has measure responsibility to promote trade, and we are all aware that trade can’t be achieved where there’s no peace. However, considering what’s happening in Niger, which affects the political stability of the sovereign nation, my mission here is to restate the directive of President Tinubu as the ECOWAS Chairman.”
Similarly, the Comptroller-General had also engaged traditional rulers and other stakeholders at the Illela border.
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 was for our benefit, thus no need to panic.”
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