. WACTAF urges government to sensistise Nigerians on cross-border trade
. Appoints new executives at Chikanda border
By Abimbola Abdullahi
Lack of infrastructural facilities at various Nigerian border have been described as major factor endangering lives of trades and borders residents.
SlyeNews gathered that all the border points of Nigeria are lacking basic infrastructural facilities such as well equipped hospitals, pipe borne water among other, thereby making live unbearable for cross-border traders and citizens living in border communities.
However, lack of basic information about due processes regional trade has also hindered smooth trade between Nigeria and the West-African trades, while smuggling thrives.
The West African Association for Cross-Border Trade and Agro-Forestry-Pastoral, Fishery Products and Food (WACTAF), has therefore urged the Federal and respective state government to build necessary infrastructure at the border communities in order to facilitate trade and improve the well being of the residents.
The group has also inaugurated new executives at Chikanda border to further enlighten the traders and border residents on benefits and processes of legitimate businesses.
Chikanda is the border between Nigeria and Benin Republic, located in Kwara State.
Executive Chairman, WACTAF, Alhaji Nassiru Alasoadua Salami, in and exclusive chat with SlyeNews, said lamented lack of infrastructural facilities such as hospitals, pipe borne water in the border areas, urging the government to provide facilities that would aid the well being of residents and traders.
He said: “All Nigerian borders that I have visited are lacking infrastructure. At Chikanda there is no water in Nigerian side, there is no hospital on Nigerian side, but there is hospital in Benin side.
“One of our officials was sick in Barute, we have to travel about 65 kilometers to local government headquarters. The hospital there doesn’t have equipment and I have to rush to Benin about 20 killometers. The emergency at the borders is in Benin side. They gave him first aid and then direct us to a standard hospital in Benin. If not for their support and provision of infrastructure, he could have died. But Nigeria does not have anything.
“These problems are all over Nigerian borders. When you go to Seme, people from Seme border cross to Benin, about 500 meters to treat themselves because Badagry is about 15 kilometers.
“If you want to minimize smuggling, you have to provide infrastructure for them, you have to create jobs for them, you don’t leave them to suffer and then resort to illegal trade.
“If we do not put structure in place at the borders, if we did not provide infrastructure, and we do not provide job for border communities, there will continue to be security challenges, and it will be difficult for us to tackle smuggling,” he said.
However, he enjoined the government to partner with West African cross border traders, and the Nigerian Shippers Council by using the border agencies and other relevant organisations to sensitise Nigerians, the private sector and particularly the border communities.
“We have discovered that the major challenge we are have is ignorance and lack of information on regional trade,” he said.
Meanwhile, the newly appointed executives at Alibarka Liaison Office, Chikanda border are expected to facilitate processes and formalize cross border trade in the region.
Salami said they would enlighten traders on proper trade procedures.
The executives include: Alh. Tajudeen (Chairman); Alh. Mohammed Sabi (Vice Chairman); Hon. Ibrahim Adamu (Secretary); Alh Musa Baba Benin (Treasurer); Mr Olalere Samson (Financial Secretary); Mr. Chinedu; (Assistant Secretary); Mall. Kabiru Jaligo Hassan (Public Relations Officer); Alh Suleiman Kosoro (Treasurer); Elders Mall. Zakari ; and Mall. Issa Idris Dabo as (Assistant Financial Secretary).
