Organised labour under the aegis of National Union of Chemical Footwear Rubber Leather and Non-Metallic Products Employees (NUCFRLANMPE) says the recent border closure by the Federal Government is threatening the jobs of its members.
Goke Olatunji, NUCFRLANMPE president, who fielded questions from journalists after the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Lagos, said chemical companies could no longer export goods to neighbouring countries. Nigeria’s land borders, including the busy Seme and Idiroko borders, linking the country and neighbouring Republic of Benin had been closed since August 22.
According to the government, the closure is aimed at checking the influx of smuggled goods, especially rice, small arms and ammunition, as well as illegal immigrants, to the country.
The chemical companies are threatening to lay off their workers as several goods have remained in the warehouse unsold as a result of the closure, Olatunji said, saying, ”Some of the member companies are already lamenting over the poor sale because their products cannot be exported to neighbouring country.
“Companies such as Unilever cannot export Vaseline, Vitafoam and Moukaform are all affected. These companies can no longer sell to neighbouring countries.”
He urged the government to put in place effective monitoring and control measures at the border to curb illicit importation and exportation of outlawed commodities, noting that total closure of the land borders without considering locally produced products meant to be exported to neighbouring countries should be reviewed.
“Nigeria economy cannot be better because of the land border closure. By closing land borders, some other sectors of the economy are suffering. If the options are weighed, it is for us to open the border while putting in place efficient and effective monitoring and controlling measures to curb prohibited commodities,” he said.
The NUCFRLANMPE president said laying off of more workers would further impoverish the people, increase insecurity and cause decline of membership, and for the economy to become better, there was the need to return to the basics such as mining, agriculture and manufacturing as these sectors needed serious attention.
“It is high time we adopted strategy instead of exporting our commodities and resources in their raw forms.
“The monolithic nature of the economy for years has paved way for backwardness; Petroleum is not enough; We urgently need diversification of the economy for better growth and development,” he said.
The union leader further called for improved infrastructure amenities such as good roads, effective power supply and adequate good medical facilities that would carter for the upsurge in the population.
He advised the government to tackle the rising unemployment to help solve the issue of insecurity that has bedevilled the entire country.
