Parliamentarians
across W/African countries bemoan Nigeria Border Closure
West African Lawmakers delegated to the ECOWAS
Parliament has expressed worrisome concern over the land borders closure
between the Republic of Benin and Niger respectively.
Ensuing from the reaction at the floor of the
Plenary after the presentation of the Nigeria country report by Hon. Sodiq
Ibrahim on behalf of the delegation, Parliamentarians raised that the closure
of Benin and Niger borders should be reconsidered to accommodate other
neighbouring country as contained in the ECOWAS protocol on free movement of
persons and goods.
Taking over the floor, Hon. David Gbahoungba of
Benin Republic said, “Let us be honest with ourselves, Rt. Honourable Speaker,
argument that are put forth on why the government of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria, are not argument that hold water, it is political, and the interest of
a group of people, it is nothing more or less.
“I did read in their report that Nigeria gave
number of vehicles to Benin, and this is with a view to fight smuggling. But I
can tell you for a fact that Benin fulfilled its obligations. As things stands,
for the past four years, no vehicle come loaded with rice from Benin and cross
over to Nigeria”.
Continuing he said, “the head of the Nigeria
delegation just told us that Nigeria is experiencing challenges as a result of
the border closures, and you would agree with me also that the Nigerian customs
is unable to meet its targets, revenues have declined, and in the next few
months will bring in the awake of a lot of worries as a result of the border
closures hence a rethink is required”.
Similarly, Hon. Sekande Reine said, “In
regarding the issue of border closure between Nigeria and Benin in particular,
there will be need for the MPs from Nigeria to appeal for the reopening of the
Border, we are part of the community, when one country coughs, the others will
catch a cold. So I just want to say the border closure does have an impact on
all the other member state especially my own country Burkina Faso, we wish to
see a solution to this problem.
In same vein, Hon Clement Humado of Ghana said,
“My special request to Nigeria, is that Nigeria should make open at least the
Seme-Krake joint border post, which is a flagship project of ECOWAS supported
by the European Union, where the customs of the two sides are supposed to
jointly inspect”.
He continued “If this happens, that at least
will provide a little relief to Ghana whose trucks have been stranded at the
other side of Seme, because we have 46 products that have been approved by our
ministry of trade and approved by the ECOWAS Commission and accepted by Nigeria
NAFDAC and Standard Organization of Nigeria.
“I am not sure that those goods are in
contention or defile the ETLS, but the action taken by Nigeria closes the door
to all goods, and I think they should look at it again, as it is not only Ghana
that is affected as Nigeria is also loosing as stated in the report. Humado
added.
Furthermore, Hon. Salifou Sawadogo of Burkina
Faso said, “I am speaking about this with a heavy heart regarding the border
closure, I would say there is a challenge, we have as many as 35 Nigerian
delegation to the Parliament, also our first deputy speaker is occupying a very
high position in the Nigeria, and indeed he can be our spokesperson.
“Nigeria is Africans giant, it is the first
economic power of Africa, and the border closure is a hindrance to the
relationship she has among other country” he added.
Reacting to the concerns of the MPs, the head of
the Nigerian delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament, Hon Ahmed Idris Wase stated
that “I want to believe that we are one member nation, respective colleagues,
what might have been drawn out to you might not be the correct perspective, and
I have my answers to give.
“First, we have a protocol, the protocol is very
clear no country in the ECOWAS sub region is allowed to export into another
country what he does not produce, meaning by our own actions, we want to be
self-sufficient, we do not want to be dumping grounds, we want to encourage
production and we cannot be servants any longer” Wase said.
He continued, “I believe as good citizens and
MPs, we should encourage our people to be productive, what we call the super
powers of the world, produces, have it stale for a very long period of time,
after a while, they take it to our own countries, this is not acceptable to
Nigeria,
“Since the closure of this border, Nigeria have
started seeing some changes in terms of security, this borders have not just
been used for the purpose of conduit, it has been used as channels of insurgent
penetration, as illicit items are also smuggled in” he added.
“Be rest assured that the border closure is for
our own interest and interest of all, it is a temporal closure and within this
period, our country will get better and self-dependent” Wase concluded.
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