Kebbi Gov. Supports FG’s Plan to Shut Land Borders

ABIOLA Seun |

Against the backdrop of the federal government decision to close Nigerian borders due to increasing smuggling activities threatening government’s agriculture policy, the governor of Kebbi State, Sen. Abubakar Bagudu has reiterated call for the closure of Nigeria borders against neighbouring countries especially Benin Republic.

The governor who rues increasing smuggling of rice into the country stated this yesterday in Birin Kebbi after inspection of road projects in the state capital.

He stated that rice smuggling through Benin Republic is threatening huge government investment in local rice production in the state and Nigeria.

The goovernor advised that part of strategy to stop rice smuggling is for government to invest in farmers in Benin Republic said if border closure will send the right signal it should be done.

“I have called for that (closure of Land borders with Benin Republic) in the past and am still of that view that if they remain recalcitrant, we should show them this is a threat to our national economy interest and it is a threat to Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) treaty because if we cannot support each other to produce domestically then one of the instrument of ECOWAS treaty is being defeated.

“But, like i said border closure yes if that is the only thing that can send the right signal but more than that is for Nigeria to relate with this countries as provided for in the ECOWAS treaty the protocol and as if they are part of Nigeria because it will help us combat smuggling.

Kebbi State which has about three million farmers therefore representing 70 percent of the population has an arable land for farming especially rice and 371km of inland waterways bordering Niger, Benin Republic for fishing.

The governor who revolutionised rice production in large quantity in Kebbi said, “Rice smuggling is affecting us and if we are smart we must treat West Africa as if it is part of Nigeria. The Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) protocol allow us to do that. We should treat Benin Republic like the 37th state of Nigeria. We should give assistance to their farmers because their production is too small to threaten that of Nigeria.

“If we do this, they will participate in fighting smuggling because we have created an incentive for them and in doing that, we are furthering the ECOWAS protocol and we are also giving them incentives to help us in fighting smuggling.

“Sometimes, they are much victim as we are and this is perpetuated by economic saboteurs that are sometimes transnational that is they are foreigners of different nationalities mostly Asians that are ready to exploit countries but that is not to say the national authority of Benin Republic cannot do something to help, they can and Mr President has been very firm about it that their president rushed to Nigeria a few weeks ago because Nigeria has been rightly expressing our anger.

“Not only rice but Nigerian poultry, milk being threatened by smuggling coming from various countries undertaken by all kind-of economic saboteurs both local and international.”

Meanwhile, the industrial milling firm is ready for commissioning in next few days as final touches are being put on the the firm.

The firm which is wholly indigenous owned is one of the four rice milling firm in the state since the beginning of rice revolution.

According to the governor, the rice milling firm have the capacity to process 320 tons of rice per day that is 10 trucks would employ over 1000 Nigerians both directly and indirectly.

He said, “If we are able to curtail smuggling and have a rice market, we will need thousand of this to stimulate the economy and create jobs for Nigerians,” he stated.