By Celephina Onovo
The closure of Nigerian borders to some countries is received the full backing of the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA).
The NEPZA said on Wednesday it supports the border closure because of good worth N1.45 trillion are smuggled into Nigeria annually.
Engr. David Terhemba Nongo, the cting Managing Director of NEPZA, said at the Two Day National Workshop on the Role of Maritime in the AfCFTA Agreement with the theme: AfCFTA: Boosting Nigeria’s Economy for Sustainable Development, that border closure will help to stop the smuggling of goods into the country.
The workshop was organised by the Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria (AMJON) in Lagos.
He lamented the menace of smuggling of goods through the Benin Republic corridor into Nigeria saying it is of negative economic influence to the nation.
Nongo who was represented at the event by Simon Tsuwan, said a recent World Bank report indicated that about N1.45 trillion worth of goods are smuggled into Nigeria annually through the Benin border alone.
His words: “This prompted Africa’s foremost industrialist, Alhaji Aliko Dangote to lament that there is no country that can survive with Benin Republic as a neighbour.
“And he went further to call for drastic action so as to save the Nigerian economy. The President Buhari government has taken the bold decision of closing the land borders and although there have been protests from majority ECOWAS member states. Nigeria insists that the closure would remain in force till January 31st, 2019.”
He said the ban would help to boost local manufacturing, job creation and economic growth.