*No Rift With Gov. Oyetola, Aregbesola Says

Despite the reopening of the land borders, the Federal Government has stated that the importation of rice and other items remained banned in the country.

This was disclosed by Mr. Rauf Aregbesola, Minister of Interior in Ilesa on Saturday, while addressing newsmen.

He noted that the ban that was lifted does not pertain to foreign items.

“Items that we banned are foreign items. Parboiled rice is only eaten in Nigeria in the entire West of Africa. The border reopening does not in any way affect the banned items. Like poultry, rice and other contraband such as psychotropic drugs, arms and ammunition, money laundering and others they are criminal,” Aregbesola said.

Besides, he further stated that the country’s border is now fully secured with the deployment of technology, that will checkmate the in and out movement from the country.

“We have deployed technology which is called MINDARS – Migration Information Data Analysis System in the four borders we reopened.

“MINDARS will register whoever passes, either a Nigerian or non-Nigerian across our borders and once you have registered, it is for life. It will take biometric, photographs, names, and other details in a central database. Nobody can now be anonymous through our border posts”, he said.

Also, he said that the main purpose of reopening the border is to ensure free flow of movement of people, goods and services originating from the region of West Africa for trading purposes.

In another development, the Minister has denied having any rift with his successor, while reacting to a recent meeting that was held at the residence of Chief Bisi Akande in Ila between Aregbesola, Governor of Osun State, Adegboyega Oyetola and APC Chieftain, Bola Tinubu.

He added that the purpose of him staying away from the state is to ensure that the Governor settles down devoid of any form of interference.

“I have clarified this to the world, I don’t have any rift with anybody. I’ve been away from here for a while simply to allow the new governor to settle down.

“With what I see, our party remains strong and my having to be more here is to strengthen the party through healthy mobilisation. My party is my party”, he said.