Border Closure Is Not Against Free Trade Agreement – Minister of Agriculture

Posted by: Folamidavid in News, Politics Dec 15, 2019

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sabo Nanono has said Federal Government’s closure of the Nigerian border does not go against the free trade agreement in the West African sub-region.

Sabo, who disclosed this on Sunday in Abuja, said the border closure is meant to protect Nigeria and Nigerians from the bad activities which occur at the borders.

According to him, Free trade does not mean we should make the country a dumping ground for all kinds of importations.

He added that closing the border is the only way to get the solution we need.

His words, “Free trade does not mean Nigeria has to be a dumping ground for everything imported by others. These products are not even from all these countries involved. So, why should they be feasting on us?

“Nigeria controls 60 to 70 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the West African sub-region.

“So, Nigeria’s economy still remains a buffer zone for the West African sub-region.

“Besides, most of the people that come into this country and melt into the population from the West African su-region come in because this country is accommodating them.

“This happens to the extent that some of these people, when they migrate into this country, you do not even know that they are immigrants.

“Take for example, people from Niger Republic when they come into Kano State, what will differentiate them from the people from Kano, or those from Benin Republic who come into Oyo State or Osun. They look like us.

“This situation creates a problem, and the border closure is a measure that has gone a long way in solving the problem.”