The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has advised Jibia border communities in Katsina to utilise the business opportunities in the area, following the recent reopening of the border.

The NCS zonal coordinator in charge of Zone ‘B’ Kaduna, ACG Umar Garba, gave the advice on Wednesday during a familiarisation visit to Nigeria-Niger border in Jibia local government area.

The Jibia border was reopened on April 25 after its closure in August 2019. Mr Garba explained that the reopening of the border had made a lot of businesses booming in the area, adding that many residents were now benefiting.

“I wish to advise the people of the communities around this border to think of legitimate businesses since the border has now opened. Doing so will assist in improving the economy of the area, the state and the country in general,” stated the customs official. “Like I told them, the government doesn’t want anything illegitimate such as smuggling, child trafficking, proliferation of small and light arms.”

Mr Garba further disclosed that a process was underway to provide modern scanners on the way to ensure that other illegal items were not transported into the country.

He further expressed satisfaction with the existing good relationship among the border communities, customs officials, other security agencies and also the Niger Republic’s officials.

Jibia LGA secretary Mohammed Lawal commended President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime for reopening the border. He said since its reopening, many collapsed businesses were gradually returning across the communities.

Mr Lawal further appealed to customs to assist the people of Jibia who were displaced by bandits. 

(NAN)