By Salifu Faridat
The Arewa Economic Forum’s (AEF) Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Dandakata, has spotlighted the dire repercussions of N13 Billion loss weekly by agric traders, ensuing from the ongoing border closure between Nigeria and Niger.
Dandakata in a press conference convened on Sunday in Abuja, expressed deep concern over the substantial economic losses faced by these agricultural traders as a direct outcome of this border closure.
He emphasized the inherent unsustainability of the border closure strategy, underscoring the considerable harm it was inflicting upon Nigerians.
Dandakata brought attention to the profound losses experienced by traders of perishable goods, encompassing items such as onions, tomatoes, pepper, and livestock.
He fervently appealed to the federal government, urging them to swiftly engage in diplomatic efforts to redress the ongoing crisis with Niger and its resultant trade disruptions.
Alhaji Dandakata articulated, “Our association is contending with losses amounting to N13 billion per week due to the border closure at the Nigeria-Niger border. These losses predominantly emanate from perishable commodities like onions, tomatoes, pepper, and stranded livestock. The border closure has cast a detrimental shadow over the Northern region. Nigerians stand to gain substantially from the trade ties between Nigeria and Niger; hence, we find ourselves bearing the brunt of the consequences more acutely than our Nigerien counterparts during this border closure.”
While awaiting a resolution to the crisis with Niger, the Chairman proffered an alternative route to alleviate the economic hardships encountered by traders.
He put forth the idea of reopening the Maje border post located between Nigeria and the Benin Republic in Kebbi State as a viable solution.
In the course of the press conference, Alhaji Dandakata was joined by Alhaji Hamza Sale and Alhaji Dauda Jibiya, who respectively hold positions as the Acting Chairman of Customs Licensed Agents (North West Zone) and an importer.
Dandakata re-emphasized that the current crisis was engendering economic devastation beyond initial expectations, significantly impacting the regional economy.
The Chairman also conveyed the AEF’s vehement disapproval of any prospective military intervention by Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Niger.
He exercised caution against such actions due to their potentially profound ramifications on Northern Nigeria and the nation as a whole.
Dandakata warned that any form of military intervention had the potential to catalyze widespread destabilization, imperiling not just the northern region but the entirety of Nigeria and even the broader West African region.
He further elucidated the plausible outcomes of military involvement, including the influx of arms into Nigeria and the exacerbation of preexisting crises.
The Chairman stressed that such intervention could erode the strides made in counterterrorism efforts in Northern Nigeria, thereby precipitating severe destabilization across the entire region.
The Arewa Economic Forum has voiced grave apprehensions concerning the weekly N13 billion losses experienced by agricultural traders due to the Nigeria-Niger border closure.
The forum has fervently implored the federal government to pursue diplomatic channels to address the Niger crisis, suggested alternative trade avenues, and ardently cautioned against any form of military intervention, underscoring the far-reaching destabilizing implications for the region and the nation as a whole.