Borno Govt to partner Nigerian Customs Service to foster economic growth through enhanced trans-border trade within the lake Chad region.

Ibrahim Umar
Kanempress
18th, August,2023

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, visited the Ag. Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, at the service’s headquarters in Abuja on Thursday.

Zulum discussed with Adeniyi how to improve the collaboration between Borno State Government and the Nigerian Customs Service to promote economic development through increased trans-border trade with neighbouring countries of Cameroon, Chad and Niger Republics.

Zulum said that restoring peace in Borno State would enable him to work with Nigeria Customs Service to facilitate the movement of goods across Nigerian borders with Cameroon, Chad and Niger, which would benefit not only the local communities but also the national economy.

“I want to first congratulate you on your appointment as the Ag Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service; this important organisation in the country. I also want to appreciate Nigeria Customs Service for supporting the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) who are mostly citizens of Borno State affected by the insurgency that lasted for more than a decade,” Zulum said.

In his response, CG Bashir Adewale Adeniyi assured Governor Babagana Umara Zulum that he would devise new strategies to help in re-establishing the full structure of cross-border trade in Borno.

He said that this would boost the region’s economy and create employment opportunities for the people in Borno State.

The CG also asked for more cooperation from the host communities.

He said: “As the insurgency has been reduced, we will need your assistance to engage with members of the border communities in Borno, especially as we have a good relationship with them. We will build on this relationship and use it to re-establish a good relationship with Cameroon and, of course, the Southern part of Chad.”

Zulum was accompanied by Borno State Commissioner of Budget and Planning, Engr. Dr Babagana Mallumbe Mustapha during the visit.