Ministers of agriculture and that of finance, budget and national planning on Monday raised divergent views on the border closure implemented by the government to check high level of smuggling, raise local production and earnings.
Mohammed Nanono, minister of agriculture and rural development, said in Abuja that opening of the borders was not in sight as the neighbouring countries had failed to respect Nigeria’s stance on smuggling.
The minister, speaking at the press conference in Abuja, said closing the border was a measure of controlling smuggling of goods into the country, “So long as these neighbouring countries bordering us will not respect Nigeria’s stand, the border will remain closed.
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“Our farmers are happy with the border closure, as they are now getting better prices for their local produce, especially the rice farmers”, he said.
Nanono, however, lamented that since the closure of the borders, there had been suspected smuggling of expired rice and raw materials through the ports.
“Getting food in the country is fairly cheap compared to other countries. We are already producing enough to feed ourselves, but we need to reorganise our market to ensure free movement of food to deficit areas,” he said.
However, Zainab Ahmed, minister of finance, budget and national planning, had earlier said that the government had started discussions with the neighbouring countries to address the issues to ensure opening of the borders.
“We have begun discussion with the neighbouring countries to address the issues of border closure so we can reopen the borders.
