Home NEWS Border Closure: ECOWAS begs For Reopening: Be Patient – Buhari

Border Closure: ECOWAS begs For Reopening: Be Patient – Buhari

By
Editorial staff
-

 The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has once again pleaded with President Muhammadu Buhari to consider reopening Nigeria’s land borders which were temporarily closed to goods coming from neighbouring countries a couple of months ago, even as Nigerian leader asked for a few more times for him to receive and study the report of tripartite committee made up of Nigeria, Benin and Niger Republic.

ECOWAS emissary and President of Burkina Faso  Roch Marc Christian Kabore was at the Presidential Villa, Abuja today,  February 21 to deliver the ECOWAS appeal to President Buhari.

President of Burkina Faso stressed that the purpose of his visit on Buhari followed the mandate of ECOWAS to resolve the issues that culminated in the partial closure of the border.

According to him, some of the challenges have been discussed, and agreed on, showing cause why Nigerian leader should reconsider the position of the country.

See also:  Tinubu To Buhari In Birthday Message: You Inspired Me Not To Give Up

However, President Buhari responded by saying that Nigeria’s decision to partially close the border was purely to safeguard national security.

He told Burkina Faso strong man, who doubles as the Chairman of the ECOWAS Committee mandated to resolve the issue of border closure that the challenges of security have been traced mainly to the inflow of weapons, ammunition and drugs.
“We have witnessed a decline in banditry using such weapons since the partial closure of the border.
“Also, our farmers are now able to sell their rice since we stopped the inflow of foreign rice, usually dumped in the country.”

President Buhari said that Nigeria is very much mindful of the concerns of neighbouring countries on the issue, assuring that his administration will find an early and enduring solution.

“I will work as fast as I can as soon as I receive the report.”