Niger Coup: Arewa Economic Forum Reiterates Call for Border Reopening
The Arewa Economic Forum (AEF) has again pleaded with the Federal Government to look into the reopening of the Nigeria-Niger border which was closed as part of sanctions to the military junta in Niger.
The Chairman of the Forum, Alhaji Shehu Ibrahim Dandakata, made this appeal while fielding questions from newsmen in a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday.
He called on the government to prioritise the economic and security of Nigerians, particularly in the border areas, who are at the receiving end of the sanctions placed on Niger Republic.
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ECONOMIC CONFIDENTIAL recalls that the Forum had earlier decried the economic losses occasioned by the sanctions which were worth N13 billion on a weekly basis.
The Forum had lamented that Northern Nigerian businessmen had over 2000 containers of perishable goods that were stranded due to the closure which was a consequence of the border closure.
“Since the closure is on major borders between Niger and Nigeria i.e Jibia in Katsina, Illela in Sokoto and Maigatari in Jigawa, we strongly recommend the immediate reopening of Maje/Illo border station in Kebbi state which Nigerian traders use to access Benin Republic and Niger Republic,” he had noted.
Giving the update to journalists on Wednesday, Dandakata said the situation is more or less the same if not worse now.
He reiterated that the government should consider the plight of the northern masses and do something quickly on the borders.