The announcement of the extended time for border closure has raised concerns for the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA).
NECA Director-General, Mr. Timothy Olawale, in a statement urged the federal government to take a broader look at the fundamentals of its decision to close the borders apart from income generation.
While acknowledging the trade imbalance between Nigeria and its neighbours and the security challenges facing the country currently,, he warns that the citizens’ welfare and business prosperity should not be sacrificed for the inefficiency of our border policing.
“Despite the many merits that come with the borders closure, we are concerned that the policy comes without any palliative for legitimate local businesses, which negate the attempts at alleviating poverty and reduce unemployment. The continuous closure also possesses the capacity to render many Nigerians jobless and hungry,” he said.
“If the borders are safe and the Government enforces the bilateral and multilateral agreements it had signed with other countries, there won’t need to close the borders. Efforts should be stepped up to equip the Customs to live up to its responsibilities of protecting the borders and nip smuggling in the bud,” he added.
He further stated that “at a time like this when unemployment rate is on the increase (23.1%), underemployment at 16.6% and expected to reach 33.5% by 2020, inflation rate now on upward trend, Government’s fiscal and monetary policies should focus on sustainable enterprise, job creation and rapid economic development premised on wider range consultation with critical stakeholders.”
ANIYIKAIYE SAMUEL
GLOBETELLY 