Chief Olusegu ObasanjoFormer Nigeria’s President, Olusegun Obasanjo has blamed Nigeria’s west coast neighbour, Benin Republic for the closure of bordes by Nigerian government even as he advised that country to change its ways for a harmonious bilateral relationship.
Obasanjo, who spoke today, November 26 at a news briefing on the margins of Policy Dialogue of African Business Associations on Implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreements in Addis Ababa, said that Benin’s notoriety was not new.
According to foremer leader, Nigeria had for long been enduring the practice which undermined its economic well being.
“It happened when I was President of Nigeria. I called the then Benin President, Nicephore Dieudonne Soglo, to let us meet at any of our border posts over the issue.
“We eventually met at Badagry (in Nigeria), where we agreed that Nigerian Customs would be stationed in Benin.
“They (the Nigerian Customs) are still there. We don’t have issues with goods manufactured in Benin — they are welcome.
“But as long as Benin allow dumping of goods, there will always be a problem with Nigeria,” Obasanjo said.
Obasanjo insisted that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) was not created to allow one country to turn itself to a dumping ground.
