Post by Ismail AbdulAzeez on Nov 17, 2019 13:01:31 GMT 1
AGRIC ASSOCIATION CAUTIONS FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ON LONG TERM EFFECTS OF BORDER CLOSURE
The Nigerian Association of Agricultural Economists (NAAE) has called on the Federal Government to take into consideration the long term effects of the border closure and devise necessary measures to curtail them.
President of the association, Professor Job Nmadu, while speaking to journalists in Abuja said that the closure of the borders was a welcomed initiative but the government should set up the structure to protect Nigerians from the negative effects.
Prof. Nmadu said that, “While the closure of the borders is commendable, it is important to put in place necessary measures like enabling environment, infrastructure, and palliatives, to ensure that it does not impact negatively on Nigerians, particularly those in border communities.
The President said that although the economic indicators seem to favor the closure of the borders, but on the long run; if the Federal Government does not provide the structures needed, farmers would feel the negative effects.
“On the face of it, it would seem that there are some gains but such gains might be momentary and may not be sustainable and Nigeria may save some revenue for not importing food items, but since we neither have capacity nor technology to manufacture farm inputs; it might just mean that the gains are losses.
“It is also important to state here that for this to be successful as being canvassed; all the ramifications should have been weighed.
“If Nigeria is serious about stopping smuggling across our borders, we should first talk to ourselves and determine that it has to stop, or else, what is happing now is just like closing the gate against a child that is determined to attend a night party. He might miss the party but the parent may miss their sleep,” he added.
The Nigerian Association of Agricultural Economists (NAAE) has called on the Federal Government to take into consideration the long term effects of the border closure and devise necessary measures to curtail them.
President of the association, Professor Job Nmadu, while speaking to journalists in Abuja said that the closure of the borders was a welcomed initiative but the government should set up the structure to protect Nigerians from the negative effects.
Prof. Nmadu said that, “While the closure of the borders is commendable, it is important to put in place necessary measures like enabling environment, infrastructure, and palliatives, to ensure that it does not impact negatively on Nigerians, particularly those in border communities.
The President said that although the economic indicators seem to favor the closure of the borders, but on the long run; if the Federal Government does not provide the structures needed, farmers would feel the negative effects.
“On the face of it, it would seem that there are some gains but such gains might be momentary and may not be sustainable and Nigeria may save some revenue for not importing food items, but since we neither have capacity nor technology to manufacture farm inputs; it might just mean that the gains are losses.
“It is also important to state here that for this to be successful as being canvassed; all the ramifications should have been weighed.
“If Nigeria is serious about stopping smuggling across our borders, we should first talk to ourselves and determine that it has to stop, or else, what is happing now is just like closing the gate against a child that is determined to attend a night party. He might miss the party but the parent may miss their sleep,” he added.
