The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has urged the federal government to review its border closure policy and allow the resumption of normal trade activities in the country.
Nigerian borders with neighbouring countries have been closed since August 2019.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Thursday, MAN’s President, Ahmed Mansur said it was time for the government to review its decision.
According to him, reopening the borders would comply with the ECOWAS’ trade liberalisation treaty, which Nigeria is a signatory to.
“When the border was closed, there were good reasons for it. Food importation and substandard products made it difficult for our rice farmers, for example, to succeed.
“Right now we are of the view that to ensure these malpractices, particularly trade malpractices are arrested, the relationship between us and our neighbouring countries which indeed to a large extent has contributed to the problem, should have been resolved.
“Therefore, we believe that the normal thing will be to reopen the borders and allow normal trading to take place,” he said.
Recall that the Federal Government has given a clear hint that the country’s land borders may be reopened soon.
Nigeria’s Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, who made this known said the presidential committee set up on the matter has completed its job and has recommended its reopening.
