Border reopening excites NACCIMA

Chinazor Megbolu |

The Nigerian Association of Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has lauded the Federal Government on land border reopening, saying it will go a long way to escape recession.

In a statement issued by the National President, NACCIMA, Hajiya Saratu Aliyu, the group noted that the reopening is a crucial move as Nigeria is striving to escape recession by first quarter of 2021.

She explained that the association had been calling on the federal government to reopen the land borders severally.

Aliyu buttressed that the call was made for some vital reasons, in terms of the negative effects of the closure on nation’s economy since August 2019.

According to her; “the decision by the federal government to reopen four of our land borders at Ilela, Maitagari, Seme and Mfum, with immediate effect is a most welcome development and one of the important strategic moves, in our quest to exit recession in first quarter of 2021.

“We are therefore delighted that President Muhammadu Buhari has heeded the call and approved the recommendations to open the borders”.

Aliyu maintained that the reopening will help the country retain its position as a major economic player in the West African sub-region.

She stressed further that the decision shows the country’s readiness to trade under African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

“It is a positive decision because trade across our land borders is an important component of our cross border trade which can help boost operations of our small and medium enterprises (SMEs) engaged in export of non-oil products through the land borders.

“This move is also a welcome strategic move in context of our ratification of the AfCFTA.

“Because it is a clear signal of our readiness to effectively trade under the agreement,” Aliyu said.

Recall the Federal Government last Wednesday ordered the reopening of four land borders in the country in Seme, Ilela, Maigatari and Mfum