On Monday, the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) officially reopened the Kamba border linking the country to the Republic of Niger along the Kebbi corridor.

While officially declaring the border open in Kamba, the area controller of the NCS in the state, Joseph Attah, expressed optimism that the border would open a new chapter for mutual economic ties between the two countries.

“The reopening of the border is not an invitation to illegal trade, rather to, among other things, boost mutual economic benefit between the two international actors of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

“The border is reopened for trade and to improve our economy, but you should note that the ban on importation of rice, poultry and other banned products still subsists and will be implemented by the border patrol team,” he said.

The comptroller urged the public to support the command with valuable information on the activities of smugglers in the state.

Earlier, the state Commissioner of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Cooperation, Garba Ibrahim, assured that the government would provide necessary support to ensure economic growth.

He said the reopening of the border was the right step in the right direction as it would give opportunities to youths and women, particularly Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) initially affected by the closure.

The federal government, through a circular by NCS on Friday, ordered the reopening of the border posts in Idiroko (Ogun), Jibiya (Katsina State), Kamba (Kebbi) and Ikom (Cross River).

The government had closed major borders to curb the spread of COVID-19 and curtail smuggling to boost local production of rice and other farm produce.

(NAN)