Moustapha Lo, speaker of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) parliament has warned that the border closure by the Nigerian Government is likely to hamper the implementation of free trade movement within the region.
The ECOWAS Parliamentarian made this statement on Tuesday, while addressing parliamentarians at the ongoing 2nd extraordinary session of the ECOWAS parliament in Monrovia.
Recall that the Nigerian government had closed its borders since August as a measure put in place to ensure proper procedure for in and outflow of people and goods. The government also wants neighbours to agree with the protocols of transit routes.”
The Speaker charged the government to reopen its borders and to find a permanent solution to the challenge of smuggling.
Lo further noted that the closure happened at a time when Africa was working to intensify efforts for the effective abolition of barriers within the member-states.
The ECOWAS parliament said the closure is a hindrance to the achievement of the regional bloc’s main objective, which includes “achieving the creation of a prosperous, borderless West African region where peace and harmony prevail”.
“The ECOWAS Parliament calls for compliance with Community provisions and thus calls for the reopening of borders and a coordinated fight against smuggling in the region,” the statement said.
“The root causes of this recurrent situation must be studied with a view to finding a permanent solution.”
Recall that the Nigerian government had closed its borders since August as a measure put in place to ensure proper procedure for in and outflow of people and goods. The government also wants neighbours to agree with the protocols of transit routes.”
The Speaker charged the government to reopen its borders and to find a permanent solution to the challenge of smuggling.
Lo further noted that the closure happened at a time when Africa was working to intensify efforts for the effective abolition of barriers within the member-states.
The ECOWAS parliament said the closure is a hindrance to the achievement of the regional bloc’s main objective, which includes “achieving the creation of a prosperous, borderless West African region where peace and harmony prevail”.
“The ECOWAS Parliament calls for compliance with Community provisions and thus calls for the reopening of borders and a coordinated fight against smuggling in the region,” the statement said.
“The root causes of this recurrent situation must be studied with a view to finding a permanent solution.”
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