Reps Committee Urges Reopening Of Nigeria's Closed Land Borders, Bemoan Huge Revenue Loss

The House of Representatives Committee on Customs and Excise has expressed concern over the continued closure of some Nigerian land borders, noting that the country was losing humongous revenue due to the closure. 

Chairman of the Committee, Leke Abejide who spoke when he led other members of the Committee on an oversight visit to zone B of the Nigeria Customs Service, said the the continuous closure was not in the economic interest of the country. 

The Zone 8 comprises Kano/Jigawa, Katsina, Sokoto/Zamfara, Kebbi, Niger/Kogi, Kwara as well as the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Unit; Commands of the Service.

 Abejide spoke against the backdrop of poor revenue generated by many of the commands who had complained over poor revenue due to the continuous border closure which was affecting their operations even as smuggling of goods continued in the zone. 

Abejide who also spoke of the need for joint security operation to curb insecurity that has also impacted heavily on revenue generation in the zone, said the committee would sponsor a motion when the House resumed from its annual vacation in collaboration with other security related committees in the Senate with a view to finding lasting solution. 

He however expressed disappointment with the revenue efforts of some of the commands, despite having the complement of a number of staff and demanded the expenditure of such commands.