Nigeria
may close its borders with Benin Republic to stem smuggling of rice and
other consumables as well as the illegal importation of weapons into
the country.
Minister of Agriculture and Rural
Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, who expressed government’s displeasure
over the porosity of the Seme border, said, it has rubbished efforts of
the present administration in diversifying the economy, especially,
through agriculture. He warned that government may be forced to take
very drastic measures.
Speaking in Abuja when the Senate
Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, led by its chairman,
Abdullahi Adamu, visited the ministry, yesterday, as part of its
oversight functions, Ogbeh recalled that former President Olusegun
Obasanjo had threatened to shut the border but was prevailed upon by the
then President of Benin Republic, Mr. Boni Iyayi, to rescind the
decision.
“If that border will be a threat to the survival of Nigeria; we may decide to take very drastic action,” Ogbeh stated.
On his part, Senator Adamu urged government not to succumb to propaganda.
of those he described as powerful
importers, who, according to him, “are bent on keeping farmers in
foreign lands in business,” while their Nigerian counterparts live in
penury.
He added that “the 70 percent tariff on
rice should be maintained and progressed, proportionally, as the
deadline for rice importation draws nearer.”
Credit: Thesun
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