Written by Eromosele Ebhomele
- The economy of neighbouring Benin Republic continues to suffer as a result of Nigeria's border closure
- The effect of the border closure can be felt on the prices of rice, textile, turkey and chicken
- Some of the traders are calling for an end to the policy and asking Benin Republic government to act fast
An investigation by Daily Trust has shown it is not an easy economy for the people of Benin Republic currently as a result of Nigeria’s policy on border closure.
Mostly affected in the neighbouring country are rice, chicken, turkey and textile shop owners, it was learnt.
According to the report, the difficulty to get product from the country to Nigeria may have been part of the reasons the prices of such goods crashed in the country.
Currently at the border area between Nigeria and Benin, the price of foreign rice is said to have dropped to N9,000 and even hardly gets patronage.
The reporter who carried out the investigation quoted a cab driver, Oliver, as expressing frustration, saying he is also affected by Nigeria’s border closure.
“Oga, I used to do five trips between Seme border and Cotonou daily before the closure. I have been at the park since 04.30 am and it is 12.30 pm, and this is my first trip,” Oliver lamented.
It was also confirmed by the report that trailers and heavy duty vehicles carrying products are stranded at the border towns.
According to the finding, those dealing in rice and textiles in Cotonou are mostly Chinese and Lebanese while the natives attract customers and get commission.
“What Nigeria has done is devastating. We had already ordered these goods on the high sea for December rush when the government closed the border.
“When Nigerians used to come, one person buys textile wax worth around CFR15m CFR. But these days, as big as this shop, I hardly make sales of CFR100,000,” the report quoted Samir, a Lebanese trader, as saying.
It further quoted Emeka Eze, who trades in used clothes, as lamenting the effect of the border closure in Nigeria.
“I have not been able to sell one bale in one month. I used to sell two bales in one day when the borders were opened,” he said while pleading with the Benin government to resolve the issues with Nigeria for businesses to survive.
Legit.ng earlier reported that the federal government also recently announced the
suspension of diesel and petrol supply to filling stations within 20 kilometres radius to all Nigerian borders.
Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Hameed Ali, issued the directive in a memo on Thursday, November 6.
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