BY KABIR WURMA, Birnin Kebbi
The newly appointed Customs Area Comptroller (CAC), Kebbi Command, Comptroller Iheanacho Ernest Ojike has reopened Kamba Border for international trade as directed by Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR.
The reopening of the border was contained in a statement by the Public Relations Officer of Kebbi Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service SPC Mohammed Tajuddeen Salisu made available to Newsmen yesterday in Birnin Kebbi.
According to the statement, after reopening the border, in the midst of district head of Kamba Alhaji Mamuda Fana, stakeholders and other sister agencies, the Customs Area Controller said Kamba is a strategic border with major share in Kebbi Revenue generation.
It further stated that the border reopening was aimed at paving way for legitimate trade that would impact positively on Nation building, not a permission for importation of prohibited items that would ransack the economy and compromise national security.
Ojike in the statement emphasised that officers and men of the Command are ever ready to facilitate legitimate trade and act within the ambit of the law to simplify trade across Kamba Border seamlessly as long as stakeholders import what is permitted by Customs extant laws, make proper declaration and pay appropriate duties to the Federal Government coffers.
The statement however indicated that foodstuffs are still prohibited for exportation out of the country, considering the scarcity of food affecting the nation.
The district head of Kamba, Alhaji Mamuda Fana Commended the effort of the federal government, while emphasising that it was a new wave of hope to his people who have interest in cross-border businesses, and even small scale business owners domiciled in Kamba town.
He promised to caution his people on illegitimate trade.
