Trucks stranded along the Maje/Illo border in Kebbi State
Nigerian businesses losing N13bn lost weekly over closure of Niger land border – AEF
Nigerian businesses are losing N13 billion weekly due to the closure by the Nigeria government of its land borders with the Niger Republic, according to the Northern Nigeria advocacy group, the Arewa Economic Forum (AEF).
The group further lamented that the land border closure has stranded over 2, 000 containers carrying perishable goods into and out of Nigeria.
It would be recalled that the Nigerian government, last week, directed the closure of its land border with the Niger Republic in compliance with the resolution of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for economic sanctions to enforced on the neighbouring country following the July 26 military coup in the country which ousted civilian president, Mohammed Bazoum from office.
Nigeria also cut off electricity supplies to Niger as part of the economic sanctions aimed at forcing the military junta to return Niger Republic to constitutional rule.
Addressing journalists during a press conference by the AEF, in Abuja, Sunday, on the economic implications of the decisions taken so far by ECOWAS and Nigeria, chairman of the AEF, Alhaji Ibrahim Shehu Dandakata, said the over 2,000 containers loaded with perishable goods stranded at the border post with Niger Republic, is a direct consequence of the sanctions.
“According to 2022 statistics, formal trade between the two countries account for $234m (N171bn) while informal trade is roughly estimated to be at $683m (N515bn), mostly in perishable commodities. “With the closure of the border, the average weekly loss is about N13bn in value of trade.
“The Nigerien population is about 25m. About 70% of the people live in towns with proximity to Nigeria.
“Nigeriens depend on Nigeria for most of the essential commodities they consume. Nigerian businesses also rely on transit points for importation from Niger Republic,” Dandakata said.
The EEF further urged President Bola Tinubu and other leaders of the sub-region not to use military option in view of the humanitarian crisis it will cause for both Nigeria and the Niger Republic.
The AEF chairman also recommended that all ECOWAS sanctions should target the coup plotters who interrupted a democratically elected leader in Niger Republic and locked up President Bazoum, saying the sanctions should not be made to punish innocent Nigeriens.
This is also as Dandakata urged President Tinubu to ‘do something urgently about the closed borders which is now threatening the businesses of many northerners.’
“Since the closure is on major borders between Niger and Nigeria i.e Jibia in Katsina, Illela in Sokoto and Maigatari in Jigawa, we strongly recommend the immediate reopening of Maje/Illo border station in Kebbi state which Nigerian traders use to access Benin Republic and Niger Republic,” he noted.
Also speaking at the press conference, a stakeholder in the northern business circle and member of the Forum, Hamza Sale Jibia, said the over 2000 containers stranded due to the border closure represent a massive threat to the livelihood of the businessmen involved.
He said the only option is the Maje/Illo border in Kebbi state which can be used to bring in the goods, adding that the average value of a container is US$20,000 to 70,000.
“We have 2000 containers stranded and they are all perishable goods. We are the therefore appealing to the Federal Government to open the Maje/Illo border and activate the necessary customs authorities for revenue generation as well,.
“If 2000 containers of goods get destroyed, it would be a huge loss for the businessmen,” he said.
