Senate suspends policy banning car import through land borders

The Senate yesterday resolved to ask the Customs to suspend action on its policy to ban importation of vehicles through land borders, which was to take effect on January 1. 

Senate’s resolution followed a motion by Barau Jibrin (Kano North) and five others.

Jibrin drew members’ attention to the Federal Government’s policy to stop car importation through land borders from January 1.

 He noted it was reported the ban will lead to loss of about 500,000 jobs by people engaged in importation of cars and handling services in border areas and elsewhere.

 Jibrin said he believed the economy of border villages and towns depending on such businesses to survive would be adversely affected.

Many senators agreed the policy was ill-advised, saying the policy would increase unemployment at a time the government was battling to create jobs for the people.

 Besides asking Customs to suspend the policy, the Senate mandated its Committee on Customs to investigate the circumstances leading to the Federal Government’s decision to ban importation of vehicles through land borders.