NIGERIA BORDER CLOSURE CONUNDRUM – A TALE OF BIAS
The Nigerian government has closed the border on the basis that harmful substances and rice are being smuggled into the country. Closing Nigeria’s borders to stop smuggling of rice and other goods into Nigeria from neighbouring countries is one of the most crude and retrogressive decisions and actions of the Buhari's led administration.
A rational, economic oriented and deep-thinking government with long term strategies of maximising Nigeria’s Strength and resources ought to know that this step is not the best step or action to take especially when the life and welfare of the masses are at stake.
How can a government who claim to have closed the border allow the smuggling of rice from the northern border and the smugglers protected and accompanied by the Army?
These rice being smuggled from the north are being guided to The Emir's place, and other northern areas, leaving us to wonder if the safety of these rice is more important than that of the masses, considering the fact that people now live in fear.
These same Armed men parade themselves in markets in Onitsha, Anambra state and Aba, Abia state, both in the east, harassing people who sell foreign rice. Does this show equity, fairness and equality of citizens?
This administration is a complete failure and doesn't consider the welfare of Nigerians. The cry of the masses is more like talking to a stone.
The poor and the rich are citizens of this country, and so also is people from the North and the South and nobody should be treated differently.
Nigeria Customs Service Ministry of Interior Nigerian Economic Summit Group Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment Nigerian Immigration Service Nigerian Army Nigerian Police Force ECOWAS_CEDEAO – Department Telecoms & Information Tecnologies Ecowas parliament Abuja Benin Republic High Commission of the Republic of Niger Non-governmental organisation Civil Society Coalition for Good Governance and Transparency Civil Society Coalition on Sustainable Development Economic Policy Research Institute (EPRI) Economic Analysis & Policy Division, UN Dept. of Economic & Social Affairs Economic Policy Advisory Board