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Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chieftain, Chief Sunny Onuesoke has reiterated that President Muhammadu Buhari’s decision to close all the land borders in the country remain the best for the economic development of Nigeria
He explained that although Nigerians are presently feeling the pains in view of inflated prices of edible commodity like rice, the PDP chieftain is however of the view that the suffering will be short lived.
Onuesoke who made the statement while addressing newsmen in Warri,Delta State pointed out that the border closure will force Nigeria government to address certain fundamental issues in the country’s economy, adding that closing the border is an opportunity to encourage local producers to increase their output and make something positive out of the situation
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“When we close our doors to the importation of some goods, the locally made goods will enjoy patronage. By so doing, we are increasing the Gross Domestic Product of the nation, creating employment for our local people and at the same time, poverty will be eradicated.”
He disclosed that Nigeria spend a lot of foreign currency to import petroleum products which are smuggled across the border at the expense of draining our foreign exchange to import the petroleum products.
Onuesoke stated that the partial closure of Nigeria’s borders has prevented the smuggling of 10.78 million litres of the Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known as petrol, between August and September 2019.
“Figures obtained from the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency in Abuja showed that the truck-out of petrol within the last one month declined by over 10 million litres. This a great benefit to Nigeria economy,” he observed.
Onuesoke maintained that the closure had shown Nigerian capacities to produce some of their products like rice and fishes, adding that if the citizenry continue to grow these capacities then, the nation can become truly self-sufficient in future.
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He explained that the closure of the border will go a long way in solving the country’s insecurity problems hence most of the weapons being used for kidnappings, armed robbery, insurgencies, banditry and other crimes do come through our porous borders concealed in foods and other goods imported into Nigeria.
Onuesoke advised Nigerians to be patient with the Federal Government policy on closure of border, stressing that people might presently be facing hardship but they will come out victorious very soon hence it will have a positive impact on the economy of the nation.
