Nigeria has reopened its land borders with neighbouring countries after closure for months.
The country’s President, Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday approved the immediate reopening of four of Nigeria’s land borders.
The four affected borders are Seme border in South- West, Ilela border in the North- West, Mfun border in the South-South and Maigatari border in the North-West.
The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed told journalists “Four land borders will be reopened immediately while the remaining borders are directed to be reopened on or before 31st of December.”
But the finance minister said “the ban on importation of rice, poultry and other banned products still subsists and will be implemented by border patrol teams.”
Nigeria’s decision to close its borders with West African neighbours sparked criticisms in the sub-region.
Other West African countries criticized Nigeria for the move saying it violated commercial and freedom of movement treaties signed under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The closure had a major impact on Benin, a key exporter of foodstuffs to Africa’s most populous country via its port of Cotonou.
But the Nigerian government said it was seeking to bolster domestic agriculture as it looks to diversify the oil-dependent economy.
Source: Africafeeds.com
