The Seme Border Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has debunked media reports that the Federal Government has lifted the ban on vehicle importation through the Seme border. This is even as it has noted that these claims are untrue and false.
A section of the media (Shipping Position Daily not included) had reported on Thursday that the Federal Government had opened the border to importation of used vehicles.
Debunking the report, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Hussaini Abdullahi explained that a proposal was written by some freight forwarders to the government following an advice from Prince Ademola Adegoroye, the then-Minister of States for Transportation.
Abdullahi explained that the former Minister had visited Seme border sometime in February when the freight forwarders put up a complaint to him about how the ban had affected them. He added that the Minister had advised the freight forwarders and members of the border community to put their requests in writing.
The Customs spokesman however noted that the Director of Road Transport in the Ministry of Transportation, Ibrahim Musa only confirmed during a recent visit to the command that the letter by the freight forwarders had been received and acted upon by the Ministry, adding that it has been forwarded to higher authorities.
According to the Customs spokesperson, Ibrahim Musa, while speaking at the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) meeting on Wednesday between officials of Nigeria and Benin Republic confirmed the letter.
Musa only said the former Minister ensured that the memo was prepared to that effect and the memo was sent to the Buhari’s government, hoping it will be considered by the new administration.
“I was here with the former Minister of State for Transportation when the freight forwarders pleaded that the border should be reopened for free movement of goods and services: Musa noted.
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