‘Importers, Exporters Lose N13bn Weekly To Lolo Border Closure’

The Association of Freight Forwarding Practitioners of Nigeria (AFFPON) and other stakeholders have lamented the loss of N13 billion weekly due to the closure of the Lolo border along Maje/Illo axis in Kebbi state leading to Benin Republic.

This was disclosed by the president of the association, Miftahu Ya’u while delivering a speech at a special press briefing in Kano on Wednesday appealing to President Bola Tinubu to reopen the Lolo border with Benin Republic.

This is organised by the association due to complains by the freight forwarders operating at the borders as well as the importers, over the federal government policy of the closure of all Nigerian/Niger borders to enforce the ECOWAS embargo on Niger Republic after military takeover of government in an effort to safeguard democracy and its stability in the West African region.

“It is imperative at this juncture to state that the Association of Freight Forwarding practitioners of Nigeria (AFFPON) is a law abiding association and therefore gives 100 per cent support to the government of Nigeria over this development especially on Nigeria/Niger Republic Borders.

“However, this association has no intention to interfere with the closure of Nigeria/Niger borders but rather is focusing on the need for the government to provide an alternative route that will give room for thousands of containers trapped outside our borders to gain access into the country.

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“The alternative routes are the borders linking Nigeria to Benin Republic like Lolo border along Maje/lllo Axis in Kebbi State which we learnt is also closed for operations. The border has a direct link to Benin Republic and can be utilised as an alternative route to allow thousands of containers that have been transported from Benin Republic into the country.

“The situation at the Lolo border is a very sad one. Our findings revealed that truck drivers are sleeping on bare floors with some exposed to attacks by snakes and others falling sick due to the unfavourable conditions they find themselves in.

The closure of the border also has a negative impact on the freight forwarding and import/export sub-sectors, causing delays, increased costs, and disruptions to trade activities.

“The Arewa Economic Forum revealed that the northern Nigerian businessmen from the border affected states are losing an estimated sum of N13 billion weekly to the border closure as trades, farms and markets shut down.

“The Association of Freight Forwarding Practitioners of Nigeria (AFFPON) therefore, finds it imperative to invite the importers affected to come together as a collective voice to address this issue through making this appeal to the President Bola Ahmad Tinubu-led government to consider the reopening of the border.

“I also want to assure you that, this joint stakeholders initiative will soon embark on a tour visit to appeal to our traditional royal fathers, the National Assembly, the governors, religious clerics as well as other stakeholders all in an effort to draw the attention of government to immediately consider reopening the Lolo Border” the president stated.