Buhari Speaks On Re-Opening Borders

President Muhammadu Buhari, has today reaffirmed his commitment to implement the tripartite committee’s decision on the partial closure of the country’s land border.

The committee is made up of Nigeria, Benin and Niger.

Speaking at the meeting with the outgoing President of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) Mr Bashir Mamman Ifo, and his successor, Dr George Nana Donkor, in Abuja, Buhari explained that the partial closure had given Nigeria a number of insights.

‘‘We have saved millions of dollars. We have realised that we don’t have to import rice. We have achieved food security.

‘‘We have curtailed the importation of drugs and proliferation of small arms which threaten our country,’’ the President said.

Buhari further appreciated the outgoing ECOWAS Bank President for all achievements during his eight year tenure, while urging his successor to follow suit.

Info informed the President that the bank had been transformed from loss-making to profit, with commitments from ECOWAS member-states doubling to 1.4 billion dollars.

Dr Donkor, the incoming president, thanked the Nigerian leader and its people for their support in his emergence.

‘‘Without Nigeria, I could not have emerged,’’ he said.

He pledged total commitment to partnering with Nigeria towards achieving rapid development in the country and the rest of West Africa.