Border closure: Senator Abba Moro urges FG to review new policy

By Ameh Comrade Godwin

The Senator representing Benue South Senatorial District, Comrade Abba Moro, has aired his views on the mixed reactions trailing the closure of Nigeria’s borders by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government.

Retired Col. Hameed Ali, the Comptroller General, Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), had explained that the borders were closed to checkmate three issues: importation of fire arms and ammunitions, smuggling and human trafficking.

Speaking on the floor of the Senate during the Wednesday’s plenary, Senator Moro maintained that the policy was the least option, revealing that there were over 1,000 illegal borders which were being used by smugglers.

He said, “I support this motion to the extent that it stops smuggling of products. Closed border is, however, the least option available to stopping smuggling.”

“Perishable goods legally imported into the country by legitimate business owners are wasting at our borders because of the closure. There is a need for the review of the policy.”

“There are 87 legitimate border routes and Nigerians who are legitimately doing business have been caught up in the cross fire. It has further stopped our revenue in trans border trade.”

Moro, a former Minister of Interior, further called on the FG to find appropriate thing to do in other to cushion the effect of outright closure.

Supporting Senator Moro’s submission, Senator Enyinanya Abaribe of Abia-South Senatorial District, urged relevant agencies to work with Senator Moro since he was a minister in charge of interior, to find a lasting panacea to the impasse.

He said, “His (Moro) submission is apt and indisputable. As a former Minister of Interior, he seems to know more about finding lasting solution to the smuggling challenge confronting the country.”