President Buhari approves January 31, 2020 date to reopen land border

*It’s bleak Christmas for us – SMEs

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the extension of the
joint border operations code-named Exercise Swift Response which
has led to the total shutdown of land frontiers across the
country.

The land borders are expected to be reopened on January 31,
2020, thus dashing the hopes of entrepreneurs in the West African
region who were optimistic that the Nigerian government will end
the military exercise before Christmas.

In a circular dated November 1, 2019 (NCS/ENF/ABJ/221/S.45) and
signed by the Comptroller of Customs in charge of enforcement,
Victor David Dimka, to the Sector Coordinators, joint border
operations drill (Exercise Swift Response), Sectors 1, 2, 3 &
4, it directed them to note the new development and comply
accordingly.

The circular reads:

“I am directed to inform you that it is observed that despite
the overwhelming success of the operation, particularly the
security and economic benefits to the nation, a few strategic
objectives are you to be achieved.

“Against this background, Mr President has approved the
extension of the exercise to January 31,2020.

“Consequently, you are requested to convey the development to
all personnel for their awareness and guidance.

“Meanwhile, allowance for personnel sustenance and fuelling of
vehicles for the period of extension will be paid as soon as
possible.

“This is for your information and necessary action, please.”

On August 20, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs
Service, Hameed Ali, announced the commencement of “Exercise Swift
Response”, a joint operation involving all military, paramilitary
and intelligence agencies, in government’s efforts to sanitise the
land borders that have become notorious for cross border smuggling
that assumed frightening proportions in recent times.

While contraband worth over N1.4 billion has been seized and
various arrests made since the crackdown against smugglers began,
some economic analysts say the heart of the problem is a network of
wealthy smuggling cartels facilitated by corrupt border officials,
which the government needs to urgently address.

More so, entrepreneurs who depend on legitimate trans-border
trade are gnashing their teeth as their economic fortunes have
taken a hit since the closure of the land borders.