Kwara Customs sensitizes market association, others on importance of border closure

Segun Oladipupo

The Kwara Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has educated critical stakeholders including textiles, shoes, veils and market women association on the importance of continuous border closure.

The Coordinator Joint Border Operations Drill Sector 3 Ilorin Kwara State, Comptroller Mohammed Uba Garba on Friday met with the stakeholders in an interactive session.

In a release made available to the public by the Public Relations Officer of the chapter, Chado Zakari, the interactive session was held in both English and Yoruba languages where the Coordinator reminded the stakeholders that the border closure was to encourage local farmers, local industries to strive and provide job opportunities for our teaming youth.

Zakari added that the Comptroller told the stakeholders that border closure was aimed at providing security to the Nation, saying if the environment is not secured, revenue generation and collection will be a mirage for Nigeria Customs Service and the country.

The release further stated that “The meeting was convened to reemphasize his mission in the sector which is to enforce federal Government directives and policies on partial border closure, that movement of persons with valid traveling document from 6.am – 6 pm is still in enforce.

Garba warned the association not to patronize or sell smuggled goods and advised textile materials dealers buying their goods from Kano to always have a copy of Single Goods Declaration Form (SGD) used and paid for their goods from the original importers to avoid their goods being seized.

The Coordinator sought assistance from the association to partner with the sector by embarking on sensitization program of their members which is capable of dissuading smugglers, those patronizing them and those who work against the interest of the nation.

Garba reiterated that Section- 147 of Customs and excise law gives power to Customs officers to search and raid any premises suspected to be housing smuggled goods, as such any shop, company or house identified to be stock with smuggled goods will not be spared.

“He declared that in line with the president’s transformation agenda especially in the area of security the service has essentially keyed into protecting the borders from infiltration of dangerous weapons and destructive materials.

“The coordinator listed the achievement of sector 3 since border closure which includes:
reduction in smuggling of illicit arms used for terrorism/crime, illegal drugs, and Sub-standard foods with the potential to cause health hazards and reduction in human/Child Trafficking and illegal migration

He added that parts of the achievements of the command include; reduction in the quantity of PMS consumed daily in Nigeria by about 10 million litres, which he said has presumed to be the average quantity of PMS usually smuggled from Nigeria daily into neighboring countries through the numerous petrol stations along the border communities.

Edited by ‘Biodun Soyele