Displeased with Babandede’s gospel, some of our neighbours under the umbrella of Ghana Traders Union calls for total boycott of Nigerian products. Currently, Nigeria’s border closure hits hard on rice-exporting countries namely India, Thailand and others as the price of the commodity was reported to have dropped by 46 percent. But despite border closure, smuggling is still booming through illegal routes. You need not ask why this is so because some people belong to the lineage of smugglers in our country.
In fact, some people belong to communities of smugglers in which older generations have transferred the know-how of smuggling to young ones for decades. If you come in contact with anyone from these communities, you would be told bluntly that smuggling is of the lucrative businesses ever known. They are not into smuggling because the economy is good or bad. Neither are they looking for jobs in any private firm or government agency. I got this information from one young man who was arrested with alleged smuggled goods at sea in 1982. At the time of arrest, he had more than 600 bags of rice and about 200x 50 litres of vegetable oil ingeniously arranged in a boat which was seized by security operatives. Undoubtedly, the situation has not improved. So, with a booming “smuggling industry”, coupled with closed borders, one reads on the pages of some newspapers that:
Terrorists smuggling fish into Nigeria says Army- Punch October 21, 2019.
“In another development, a syndicate that specialises in the smuggling of smoked fish from the Lake Chad region for sale in some parts of Nigeria has been arrested by the troops of Operation Lafiya Dole. Reliable information available revealed that Boko Haram criminals, ISWAP and their collaborators are using the fish business to finance and sustain their heinous activities.
“The proceeds from the sale are believed to be channelled into the procurement of foodstuffs, groceries, drugs, toiletries, vehicle spare parts and other items for the sustenance of their criminal activities. Troops of Sector 3 of the operation, while acting on reliable intelligence, raided the residence of some suspected illegal fish smugglers near the Water Board Internally Displaced Persons’ camp in the Monguno Local Government Area of Borno State. Four suspects were arrested and 16 sacks of smoked fish concealed in a room were recovered.”
“In a similar operation, nine vehicles loaded with illegal smoked fish consignments were equally intercepted at Bukarti in the Geidam Local Government Area of Yobe State en-route Hadejia in Jigawa State. Consequently, 18 suspects including the drivers, conductors, mechanics and agents were also apprehended.”
Navy arrests deaf and dumb, 11 others for allegedly smuggling rice into Akwa Ibom- Daily Post Nigeria, 23 October, 2019
“The Nigerian Navy, Forward Operating Base, Ibaka, Mbo Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State, said it has arrested 12 suspects in three different operations for smuggling 708 bags of 50kg rice into the state. While handing over the suspects and the seized items to the Nigeria Customs Service on Tuesday, the Commanding Officer, FOB, Captain Peter Yilme, said though, the smugglers have devised new ways of evading arrest, yet the Navy will not relent in curtailing the illegal trade.”
Most times, countries close their borders when they feel their economies are weak, and that influx of migrants will draw heavily on their social services and take over all low skill jobs. This is a persistent idea that is not completely true. Nigeria’s borders, it is said, has become too porous and were being exploited by Nigerians and foreigners to smuggle contraband in and out of the country.
Without addressing the problems of inept customs and immigration services, as well as the porosity of numerous illegal borders, Nigeria would be treating symptoms of the disease. Methinks Nigeria has not been serious with security of her borders and our immediate neighbours have taken liberty of this gap for too long
In the business of smuggling, what is of utmost concern to the government and people of Nigeria is the trafficking of arms into the country and the smuggling of petroleum products out of the country. The illegal importation of rice, chicken, turkey, used cars etcetera, is another reason of concern. As patriotic Nigerians, these are legitimate concerns. Nigeria has every right to uphold her national interest over and above all other interests in order to protect her citizens.
Apart from its domestic implications, the border closure is inconsistent with the spirit and letters of conventions on regional economic integration. Those in authority must remember that Nigeria spearheaded the establishment of ECOWAS in the mid-1970s with the objective of “free trade”. Nigeria’s border closure has implications for regional security and economic integration. So, one expects the closure of borders to reduce the inflow of small and light weapons and cross-border movement of kidnappers, bandits and murderers.
From the economic angle, border closure could be an aberration because of trade related reasons. The country’s neighbours, despite several engagements at securing compliance with trade, treaties and agreements had flagrantly dishonoured and disrespected Nigeria. With the poor attitude of authorities in our immediate neighbouring countries, one begins to wonder what happens when the common currency, Eco, to be introduced within ECOWAS is fully implemented in January 2020. I align myself with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s position that ECOWAS member nations should not rush into implementing the resolution until all loose ends are tightened.
Without addressing the problems of inept customs and immigration services, as well as the porosity of numerous illegal borders, Nigeria would be treating symptoms of the disease. Methinks Nigeria has not been serious with security of her borders and our immediate neighbours have taken liberty of this gap for too long. This is the time for the “Giant of Africa” to show some seriousness and display her capacity at home and in the sub-region by managing the border closure efficiently.
If Nigeria closes her borders, those in authority must encourage production of goods and services within the country through sound monetary and fiscal policies. Nigeria as a leader within ECOWAS should not lead from behind. Overall, Nigeria should put her house in order because charity they say, begins at home. The time for Nigeria to get it right is now, as African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) would commence in July 2020. Thank you! (Concluded).
