Border Closure: Beware of economic saboteurs, SINET tells Buhari

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President Buhari: Advised against taking part in neo-colonialism called trade agreement.

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A Non-Governmental Organization, the Social Integrity Network (SINET) has expressed disappointment over a media report credited to the Director General of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, (MAN), Mr. Segun Ajayi-Kadiri, describing the border closure policy as unsustainable.

The group noted that the MAN boss, “despite his knowledge that influx of foreign made products will definitely affect local manufacturers, still want the FG to open the border at the expense of the Nigerian economic prosperity.”

SINET in a statement signed by its national coordinator, Mallam Ibrahim Issah,  alerted the federal government of the looming collapse of many local rice factories which will eventually subject the nation’s industrial drive to hardship while many banks may also be affected adding smugglers of foreign rice are already gaining access back into the Nigerian markets.

Issah, noted that the appointment of economic experts by President Muhammadu Buhari into his cabinet has further cleared the doubt of Nigerians on salient financial/economic matters in the nation adding that, “Mr. President should be wary of economic saboteurs.”

SINET also commended the federal government for adopting policies capable of overhauling the nation’s economic fortunes amidst numerous global challenges stressing that, “government’s decision on Treasury Bill in the recent times has clearly shown that the era of looting Tax Payers’ money is over in the country.”

The group also raised alarm over attempt by some groups to mount undue pressure on the President to re-open the Nigerian border does not reflect the overall interest of Nigerian populace stressing that the move was sponsored by for few individuals who are economic saboteurs.

According to him, “While the nation is counting the numerous gains of border closure especially in the areas of economic recovery, revenue generation and reduction of insurgency, it is saddened that some unpatriotic fellows want the policy reversed.

“It is pertinent to note that with the border closure, many industries have commenced operations thereby providing more jobs for Nigerians while the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN) has invested heavily on local manufacturers by providing them with loans.

“Unfortunately, with the huge efforts made by Rice Farmers as well as Rice Millers towards ensuring that the nation remain self-sufficient in the rice production, it is surprising to note that foreign rice are already getting the ways back into the country.”

He further maintained that the effect of such unwholesome moves by some cartel will have negative impact on the nation’s economic drive stressing that the Nigeria Customs Service and the Central Bank of Nigeria recently rolled out the numerous economic gains of border closure while influx of arms and ammunitions has reduced drastically. We still need to extend the border closure policy because Nigeria’s economy is not ready distraction.

The group however advised the federal government to engage the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, (NSCDC) in the taskforce operation of checking warehouses found with foreign rice and impose stringent sanctions on culprits in the collective interest of Nigerians.

“Our fear is that if smuggling of foreign rice is left unchecked, many local rice mills will soon collapse while investors would be declared bankrupt, thereby opening another episode of financial distress on banks that provided them with loan facilities for business operations and expansion”, he said.


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