Nigeria’s Border Closure Costs Freight Industry N13 Billion Weekly, Says AFFPON
The Association of Freight Forwarding Practitioners of Nigeria (AFFPON) has disclosed that the weekly loss incurred due to Nigeria’s border closure by the Federal Government amounts to at least N13 billion.
Miftahu Ya’u, the president of AFFPON, shared this information during a joint stakeholders’ forum for freight forwarders and importers.
The association urged the government to consider reopening the Lolo border in Kebbi State, connecting Nigeria and Benin Republic.
Ya’u expressed concern over the dire conditions faced by truck drivers at the Lolo border, emphasizing that they were sleeping on bare floors, exposing themselves to snake attacks, and falling ill due to unfavorable conditions.
The closure of the border not only affects the well-being of the truck drivers but also has severe repercussions for the freight forwarding, import, and export sectors.
The resulting delays, increased costs, and trade disruptions have had a negative impact on the industry.
The Arewa Economic Forum estimated that businessmen from northern Nigerian states affected by the border closure are collectively losing around N13 billion weekly.
This loss is attributed to the halt in trade, farm activities, and market closures.
While AFFPON emphasizes its support for the government’s efforts to enforce the ECOWAS embargo on Niger Republic following the military takeover, the association appeals for the opening of alternative routes.
The closure of borders with Niger and Nigeria has created challenges, and AFFPON urges the government to provide alternative routes to facilitate the entry of thousands of containers stranded outside the borders.
One suggested alternative route is the Lolo border along the Maje/Ilo axis in Kebbi State, linking Nigeria and Benin Republic.
AFFPON argues that reopening this border would serve as a practical solution, allowing the smooth entry of containers transported from Benin Republic into Nigeria.
Source: Daily Trust
