No Date Fixed For Reopening Of Land Borders, Says FG

The Nigerian government has disclosed that there is no date yet for reopening of land borders which were closed in August 2019.

Minister of state for industry, trade and investment, Mariam Katagum said the date for reopening of the land borders will be announced after a joint patrol team setup by Nigeria and its neighbours submits its recommendations.

The Minister who revealed that the statement will reveal if Benin Republic and Niger Republic have complied with trade protocols of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), added that the joint team is made up of customs, air force and other security agencies of the countries.

She said, “We had the strategic meeting with the three countries and what we agreed with our neighbors is to activate a joint border patrol and that border patrol comprising the customs, all the security agencies and ensure to try to follow the actual protocol laid by ECOWAS.

“The committee met on November 25 and it is only when that committee is certain that all the countries are respecting the ECOWAS protocol that they will recommend a day for the opening of the border.”

Also speaking to newsmen, the minister of industry trade and investment, Richard Adebayo said the Automotive Policy is being reviewed. According to him, January 28 has been fixed to get the input of auto stakeholders after which a bill will be sent to the national assembly for the policy to become law.