No Fixed Date To Re-Open Border -FG

Nigeria’s government has said there is no fixed date for the reopening of the country’s land borders, which were closed in August this year.
President Muhammadu Buhari had explained that the borders were closed, to prevent smuggling of banned items.
Speaking with journalists yesterday, the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Mariam Katagum, stated that a date for the borders to be reopened would be fixed after a joint patrol team set up by Nigeria and its neighbours submit its recommendations.
The Minister said the recommendations would determine if Benin Republic and Niger Republic have complied with trade protocols of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Katagum disclosed that the joint team is made up of Customs, Air Force and other security agencies of the countries.
“We had the strategic meeting with the three countries and what we agreed with our neighbors is to activate a joint border patrol and that border patrol comprising the customs, all the security agencies and ensure to try to follow the actual protocol laid by ECOWAS.
“The committee met on November 25 and it is only when that committee is certain that all the countries are respecting the ECOWAS protocol that they will recommend a day for the opening of the border,” Katagum said.
Meanwhile, the Authority of the ECOWAS Heads of State and Governments has urged Nigeria, Benin and Niger to quickly conclude its work in order to resolve all existing border issues.
This was made known in the final communiqué read by Mr. Jean-Claude Brou, President of the ECOWAS Commission and made available to the media in Abuja.
The Authority tasked the Tripartite Ministerial Committee of the three countries to speed up negotiations.
On the free movement of persons and goods, ECOWAS reiterated the need for all Member States to fully implement the Protocol on Free Movement as it relates to the rights of entry, residence and establishment.
The Authority noted the challenges of the implementation of the protocol of Free Movement of Persons and Goods arising from the partial closure of the Nigerian land borders to goods.
In the communiqué, the Heads of States and Government also encouraged the ECOWAS Commission, in collaboration with members to step up efforts for the implementation of regional infrastructure project.
This, they explained, was with a view to opening up some countries, ensuring seamless intra-community trade and improving security.
The Authority also took note of the request of support of Member States applying for positions in International and Regional organizations and vacancies reserved for ECOWAS Member States at the United Nations in 2020.