Despite Border Reopening, FG Says Poultry, Rice Importation Remain Banned

*No Rift With Gov. Oyetola, Aregbesola Says

Despite the reopening of the land borders, the Federal
Government has stated that the importation of rice and other items
remained banned in the country.

This was disclosed by Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, Minister of Interior
in Ilesa on Saturday, while addressing newsmen.

He noted that the ban that was lifted does not pertain to
foreign items.

“Items that we banned are foreign items. Parboiled rice is only
eaten in Nigeria in the entire West of Africa. The border reopening
does not in any way affect the banned items. Like poultry, rice and
other contraband such as psychotropic drugs, arms and ammunition,
money laundering and others they are criminal,” Aregbesola
said.

Besides, he further stated that the country’s border is now
fully secured with the deployment of technology, that will
checkmate the in and out movement from the country.

“We have deployed technology which is called MINDARS – Migration
Information Data Analysis System in the four borders we
reopened.

“MINDARS will register whoever passes, either a Nigerian or
non-Nigerian across our borders and once you have registered, it is
for life. It will take biometric, photographs, names, and other
details in a central database. Nobody can now be anonymous through
our border posts”, he said.

Also, he said that the main purpose of reopening the border is
to ensure free flow of movement of people, goods and services
originating from the region of West Africa for trading
purposes.

In another development, the Minister has denied having any rift
with his successor, while reacting to a recent meeting that was
held at the residence of Chief Bisi Akande in Ila between
Aregbesola, Governor of Osun State, Adegboyega Oyetola and APC
Chieftain, Bola Tinubu.

He added that the purpose of him staying away from the state is
to ensure that the Governor settles down devoid of any form of
interference.

“I have clarified this to the world, I don’t have any rift with
anybody. I’ve been away from here for a while simply to allow the
new governor to settle down.

“With what I see, our party remains strong and my having to be
more here is to strengthen the party through healthy mobilisation.
My party is my party”, he said.

*No Rift With Gov. Oyetola, Aregbesola Says

Despite the reopening of the land borders, the Federal
Government has stated that the importation of rice and other items
remained banned in the country.

This was disclosed by Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, Minister of Interior
in Ilesa on Saturday, while addressing newsmen.

He noted that the ban that was lifted does not pertain to
foreign items.

“Items that we banned are foreign items. Parboiled rice is only
eaten in Nigeria in the entire West of Africa. The border reopening
does not in any way affect the banned items. Like poultry, rice and
other contraband such as psychotropic drugs, arms and ammunition,
money laundering and others they are criminal,” Aregbesola
said.

Besides, he further stated that the country’s border is now
fully secured with the deployment of technology, that will
checkmate the in and out movement from the country.

“We have deployed technology which is called MINDARS – Migration
Information Data Analysis System in the four borders we
reopened.

“MINDARS will register whoever passes, either a Nigerian or
non-Nigerian across our borders and once you have registered, it is
for life. It will take biometric, photographs, names, and other
details in a central database. Nobody can now be anonymous through
our border posts”, he said.

Also, he said that the main purpose of reopening the border is
to ensure free flow of movement of people, goods and services
originating from the region of West Africa for trading
purposes.

In another development, the Minister has denied having any rift
with his successor, while reacting to a recent meeting that was
held at the residence of Chief Bisi Akande in Ila between
Aregbesola, Governor of Osun State, Adegboyega Oyetola and APC
Chieftain, Bola Tinubu.

He added that the purpose of him staying away from the state is
to ensure that the Governor settles down devoid of any form of
interference.

“I have clarified this to the world, I don’t have any rift with
anybody. I’ve been away from here for a while simply to allow the
new governor to settle down.

“With what I see, our party remains strong and my having to be
more here is to strengthen the party through healthy mobilisation.
My party is my party”, he said.