President Muhammadu Buhari had, last year, ordered the closure of the land borders with Benin Republic and other neighbouring countries, to curtail smuggling activities and illicit trade. While the closure was speculated to last 28 days, government did not give a definite date for the re-opening of the borders, as businesses had to subsequently move their goods through the seaports. According to Osinbajo, government’s stimulus plan is expected to assist sectors affected by the pandemic and citizens through various intervention schemes. The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Adeniyi Adebayo, identified the private sector as the fulcrum of the ease of doing business, adding that the Federal Government was committed to more engagement between reform-implementing organs of government and private sector players. “We believe that properly coordinated efforts by government agencies and the private sector will assist to assuage investor concerns and continue to position Nigeria as an attractive investment destination,” he added.

Source: The Guardian August 08, 2020 03:56 UTC