Buhari: Why I deliberately closed borders
Years after he ordered the shutdown of borders, President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday justified the policy saying it was taken in the interest of the country.
Specifically, Buhari referenced the ban on importation of foreign rice as a policy taken in the interest of the economy.
He spoke in Abuja at the inauguration of a new Customs headquarters, built at the cost of N19.6 billion .
“I deliberately closed the borders. I said it is either you eat what you grow or you grow what you eat and later Nigerians appreciated it,” President Buhari said.
On corruption, Buhari said he has 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 the 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,” Buhari stated.
Also speaking at the event, 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.
Ahmed 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 President Buhari for signing the Nigeria Customs Act 2022, saying it would go a long way in enabling the service meet up with international best practices.
The minister also thanked the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and other stakeholders for their continued support, adding that it has enhanced the service’s mandate of trade facilitation and revenue generation.
On his part, the Comptroller of Customs, Col. Hammed Ali (rtd), said he ensured the building was completed to create conducive environment for personnel to carry out their responsibilities effectively.
Ali said: “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 disclosed that 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.
The Customs headquarters, referred to as “Customs House”, is located in the Maitama area of Abuja.
