The Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams, has said the decision of the federal government to shut the Nigeria -Benin border portend danger to the economy of the South West region.
Adams who spoke during the 2019 edition of the Olokun festival in Badagry, Lagos state said it is suspicious that borders in the northern part of the country operates without anyone raising an eyebrow.
“It is unfortunate that the Nigeria – Benin border had to be shut, however, the closure seems suspicious to me because the borders in the North still operate conveniently without anybody blinking an eye. This portends grave danger to us as a people because the economic implications of the border closure will largely affect us more in the southwest than any other regions” he said.
He called on the federal government to reopen the borders and called for a more effective measures to be put in place to checkmate smuggling.
He said, ” We can reduce the unlawful smuggling of rice and other items into the country. It involves proper planning and documentation from the Nigerian government and the officials, including the Immigrations and the Customs must be up and doing in ensuring that the law is effective.”
Decrying the poor state of the Lagos Badagry road, Adams said fixing the road will boost the tourism potentials of the nation and contribute to the economy.
“The road leading to Badagry town and its environs are in deplorable stage and nobody even cares. For the past seven years, this town had been abandoned with little facilities I have said it severally that this road is bad.The road has become death traps for commuters plying the road daily. For instance, traveling between Badagry and Mile 2 has always been an unpleasant experience these days.Imagine the kind of impression this would have on foreigners and tourists coming through west African coast to Badagry”,he said.
