The Senate on Wednesday commended the recent decision by President Muhammadu Buhari to temporarily close all land borders to address smuggling and its impact on the Nigerian economy.
The commendation came following the consideration of a motion titled: “The impact of border closure on the Nigerian economy”, sponsored by Adamu Aliero, the APC senator representing Kebbi Central.
Aliero said, “Fuel smuggling has significantly reduced thereby saving the country billions of scarce foreign exchange spent by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation to import fuel into Nigeria.”
According to him, smuggling of textile and vegetable oil imported from Malaysia through the land borders has negatively affected local production and grounded it to a halt.
“The Federal Government’s action has led to the revival of local production of vegetable oil, and increased employment generation,” he concluded.
Although, some Senators urged the government to put into consideration the negative effects of the border closure on Nigerians, the Senate, in its resolutions, urged the Nigerian Customs Service and security services to intensify the curbing of smuggling across the borders.
They also assured the relevant agencies of their support as they grapple with the task of ridding the country of smuggled goods and services.
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