Ripple effects of economic sanctions on Niger Republic are rocking at least seven Nigerian states bordering the south of Niger. In the third week of the political and economic tension, about 8.5 million Nigerians living in border towns and communities have continued to count their losses running into over N40 billion .
They said since the Federal Government closed the border on August 3, perishable goods like onions, tomatoes, pepper, potatoes, and livestock are being lost, just as trade worth about $226.34 million is at risk of collapse.
Also, some marital relationships are being threatened because couples that engaged in cross-border trading before the border closure have not been able to return to their various homes.
Recall that Economic Communities of West African State (ECOWAS) Head of States had severed trade relationship with Niger, following a military coup led by General Abdlourahamane Tchiani that truncated democracy and sacked Mohammed Bazoum as the president of the country.
Seven states including Kebbi, Katsina, Sokoto, Zamfara, Jigawa, Yobe and Borno shared boundaries with the francophone country, covering a 1,608 kilometres stretch.
Findings by The Guardian revealed that the states are losing an estimated sum of N13 billion weekly to the border closure to trade, farms, and markets shutdown.
Consequently, prices of locally produced rice and other products have appreciated in the border towns because smuggling and other cross-border trading have been halted, worsening economic conditions of residents.
A 50kg of local rice sold at N17,000 before border closure now goes for N30,000 while imported rice sold at N30,000, of the same kilogramme, now sells at N55,000, necessitating an increase in demand for local rice.
Besides rice, Nigeria depends on the route for edible fruit and nuts, peel of citrus fruit or melons, raw hides and skins (other than fur skins) and leather, edible vegetables and certain roots and tuber, dairy produce; birds’ eggs; natural honey; edible products of animal origin, and others.
In turn, Nigeria exports mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation, bituminous substances, tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes, salt, sulphur, plastering materials, lime, cement, plastics, fertilisers, and others that have been put to a halt.
The Chairman of Arewa Economic Forum (AEF), Ibrahim Dandakata, reckoned that the border closure is hurting Nigerians, noting that Northern Nigerian businessmen have over 2,000 containers of perishable goods that are stranded at the border.
He said: “Financially, our members lose N13 billion per week at the Nigeria-Niger border. It has affected us very badly in the North. We Nigerians benefit more from the trade between Nigeria and Niger, and so we suffer more than the Nigeriens under the current border closure.”
To save the farmers and traders from further loss of resources, he suggested opening of the Maje border post between Nigeria and Benin Republic in Kebbi State, as an alternative route.
Dandakata said: “According to 2022 statistics, formal trade between the two countries accounts for $234 million (N171 billion), while informal trade is roughly estimated to be at $683 million (N515 billion), mostly in perishable commodities.”
Residents of communities in Katsina State located close to the Nigerian border with Niger also lamented the downturn of socio-economic activities since the borders were closed.
The residents who spoke with The Guardian in several border communities in Baure, Jibia, Kaita, Maiadua, Mashi, and Zango local councils in Katsina State said farming and trading activities have been halted because of the fears of being attacked by militants and strange faces they see in their communities.
One of the traders, Mallam Lawal Kaita said Magama market in Jibia, which they operate every Sunday, has been deserted because of the border closure.
He said: “Maiadua market is located at Kongolam, and opens on Sundays, with varieties of goods like household items, domestic animals, and electrical appliances have been shut.”
A community leader in Kongolam, Alhaji Umaru Shirwa, who lamented the situation called on the Federal Government to consider other options of engaging the military junta, and “stop punishing innocent civilians”.
When contacted, the chairman of Jibia local council, Bishir Maito, declined comments, but he hinted that some members of the National Assembly have alerted him of their “visit to the community to assess the impact of the border closure on the residents.”
PRIOR to the sudden closure of the border, Illela in Sokoto State was a boisterous town like every other border town, where brisk businesses and trans-border trading thrive.
The long history of fraternal relationship between Nigeria and Niger Republic is now replaced with fear, suspicion, and tension. Illela international cattle market used to attract buyers and sellers from every part of Nigeria and neighbouring countries as far as Togo, Chad and Mali.
The Chairman of the cattle section of the market, Bashir Zubairu, told The Guardian that, “the market was the worst hit since the closure of the border, as herds of cows cannot be brought to the market.
He said: “The decision to close the border was totally strange to nomadic herdsmen, who move about with their animals in search of pasture. Those who were already heading to the Illela international cattle market, had to divert their animals to other nearby countries. The scarcity of animals in the market reduced business activities and revenue in the market.
“As I speak with you, the closure of the border has affected our business negatively because of the exchange rate of Naira to CFA.”
Lamenting negative effects of the border closure, Alhaji Abubakar Usman, said: “because of our closeness with the Republic of Niger, anything that affects them, will affect us. This decision to close the Illela border with Niger Republic has started affecting our economy and lifestyle.
Abdallah Nasir is in a dilemma as his thriving iced block business has been paralysed following the closure of the border.
Narrating his ordeal, Abdallah said: “I go to Niger Republic every day to buy iced blocks, bring them to Illela and sell because they have constant power supply unlike what obtains in Illela.
The guardian.
