President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday gave further insight into why he ordered the closure of Nigerian land borders in 2019.
While ordering the closure, the Federal Government had blamed it on illegal importation of drugs, arms and agricultural products into Nigeria from neighbouring West African countries.
But, speaking at the commissioning of the new corporate head office of the Nigeria Customs Service, President Buhari said the decision was largely taken because of the need to curb importation of food items; especially rice into the country.
In December 2020, Buhari ordered the reopening of four of the land borders. The closure lasted for about two years.
Buhari, while commissioning the new smart Custom Corporate Headquarters, which cost about N19.6 billion, stated that he deliberately closed the land borders to encourage Nigerians to produce food that they consume.
He claimed that even though Nigerian had initially criticized the action, but they later appreciated it.
According to the President, Nigeria has a vast border, which would require monitoring. “Please note that from Lake Chad to Benin Republic is more than 1,600 kilometres, only God can effectively guard the borders”, he said.
“I deliberately closed the borders because knowing Nigerians, they order rice, give some to Niger and the rest, and then they bring the rice here. “Nigeria is favored as a country. We have people, we have land, and weather; how many nations are as lucky as Nigeria in the world, very few nations.
“So, closing that border, 1,600 kilometres, Nigerians insist they eat parboiled rice, but I said no you either eat what you grow or you die. I tried to make my point and later Nigerians appreciated it because it provided more jobs,” he told the garthering.
Buhari said he appointed Col Hameed Ali (rtd) as the Comptroller General of Customs to ensure that he has peace of mind as President.
“I brought Colonel Hameed Ali to ensure that I have peace of mind,” he said.
On corruption, Buhari said he had nothing to hide, adding that, “those who are following Nigerian leaders to condemn them for misappropriation and misbehaviour will have a problem with me.”
On relationship with neighbouring African countries, the president said there was a need to maintain cordial relationship with them.
“When I became the President, my first visit was to Niger, Chad and Cameroon because if you do not secure their confidence, you will be in trouble.’’
On her part, the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, said the new customs headquarters was a symbol of the present government’s commitment to effective service delivery.
She said the board under her leadership, prioritised customs’ staff welfare.
She said the board ensured “regular promotion for customs personnel, training opportunities”, among others.
She thanked the president for signing the Nigeria Customs Act 2022, saying it would go a long way in enabling the service meet up with international best practices.
Ahmed thanked the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and other stakeholders for their continued support, adding that it had enhanced the service’s mandate of trade facilitation and revenue generation.
Earlier, Comptroller of Custom retired Col. Hammed Ali said he ensured the building was completed to create conducive environment for personnel to carry out their responsibilities effectively.
“When I assumed office in 2015, I was resolute on implementing the three “Rs”; Reform, Restructure and Raise Revenue profile of the Service.
“In view of this, I was not in doubt that a conducive environment is important and that is why I ensured the completion of the new corporate headquarters.”
Ali said the building was technologically friendly with necessary facilities to monitor activities at the different borders and commands across the country.
Ali said the building, which sits on approximately 25,000 square meters, was designed and constructed by indigenous firms.
He said although there were challenges of variations in the course of the project, the service was proud to erect one of the most cost effective edifices in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja.
The Customs corporate headquarters, referred to as “Customs House”, is located in Maitama areas in Abuja.
The building has a 12-floor tower with five floors on both wings of the tower and “bridges” linking the two wings.
The project was conceived in 2002 to provide a comfortable and conducive working environment for staff and authorised visitors to the building.
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