Nigeria Farmers Frown At Moves To Reopen Land Borders

By Lukman Amusa

Farmers in the country have  kicked against the move by the federal government to reopen land borders which have being close for the past one and half year. The National President of

All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Arch. Kabiru Ibrahim, told our correspondent  on the phone yesterday that most foods produced in Nigeria usually find their way to the neighbouring countries, adding that reopening of borders would make such movements much easier.

“Farmers are harvesting their produce but yet prices of food items are on the rise for some other factors; so if you open the borders and allow free movement of the products to our neighbouring countries, what do you think will happen, it will be disastrous,” he said.

 They said neighbouring countries that relied on Nigeria for food and other necessities would troop into the country and by implication, the prices of such commodities would go higher.

The farmers’ leader also reminded the proponents of the reopening about the new wave of COVID-19 infections, adding that taking such action at the moment would further worsen the situation.

Premier news had reported the  Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Hajiya Zainab Ahmed, said yesterday that President Muhammadu Buhari will soon receive a report of a presidential committee constituted to advise him on the reopening of the nation’s borders.