Osinbajo raises hope on border closure

Peter Olaniyi

The Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has raised the hope of Nigerians, especially the trading public that the Federal Government is currently working towards reopening Nigeria’s land borders.

Recall that in October 2019, President Buhari ordered the full closure of land borders as part of measures to checkmate smuggling activities.

However speaking at a webinar organized by The Africa Report, Vice President Osinbajo said the Federal government is working with neighbouring countries on the terms of reopening the border.

“We are working with our neighbours to see on what terms we would reopen those borders. At the moment, we are undertaking joint border patrols to control smuggling along the borders and we think it is working and I am sure that soon enough we should have the borders opened,” he said.

‘We are committed to the AfCFTA but we are concerned about threats to security and the economy and we had to take certain actions that would satisfy the immediate needs of our country.
” It (border closure) certainly wasn’t meant to be permanent and we are looking forward to reopening as quickly as possible.” Osinbajo said.
The trading public, especially those engaged in legitimate cross-border transactions, have lamented the continued border closure which they claimed has resulted to huge losses.
Most Nigerians have also lambasted the Federal Government over the unending border closure which they said has become outdated in an era where all encumbrances are being pulled down for seamless inter- border trade.