Real Reasons for Banning Imports, Exports Through Land Borders

The Federal Government Monday took a tactical step in its bid to have total control on goods that comes into the country.

“The issue of movement of goods is not the same thing with movement of persons, said Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd).

” Let’s understand that all perishable items are on prohibition whether on export or import. Therefore nobody can carry tomato to the border to import or export. So it makes it easier for us to close and ensure that all goods for now are banned from being exported or imported through our land borders.

“That is to ensure that we have total control over what comes in and what we do. We are strategising on how best the goods can be handled when we get to when this operation will relax,” he said. Ali, however, advised local dealers who want to export or to import items to use the seaports which is the only access at present.

The federal government announced a total ban on the importation and exportation of goods through the land borders nationwide. It was gathered that the decision was in furtherance of the on-going joint border operation, tagged, Exercise Swift Response.