ABUJA: Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the immediate reopening of the nation’s four land borders which were shut 16 months ago in a bid to curb smuggling, said a senior government official on Wednesday. “The president has approved the reopening of four land borders, namely Seme border, southwest, Ilela border, northwest, Maigatari border, also in the north, and Mfum border in the south,” Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed told reporters at the presidential palace after a weekly cabinet meeting. The reopening of the borders followed a recommendation by a presidential committee, which was mandated to review and advise the president on the opening of the land borders, said the minister, noting that the remaining land borders are directed to be reopened on or before December 31. She added that while the borders are being reopened, the Nigerian leader also directed to maintain the import ban on rice, poultry and other products.

Source: Manila Times December 17, 2020 16:52 UTC