"Extend Border Closure On Livestock, Petroleum Products"..... Onuesoke Tells FG

“There is a video trending online of  vehicles loaded with rice allegedly being escorted into Nigeria to the Northern part of the country by security men"..... Says Onuesoke.

"It is disappointing that while the Nigerian customs have been vociferous and active  about seizure of rice, poultry products and other goods, it has not made mention of intercepted cattle, sheep or goats that are moved across the border by nomadic persons".

"They should not make Nigerians feel that  the border closure is made for only one side of the nation".



With the closure of the borders in the country, a prominent chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Delta state, Chief Sunny Onuesoke has advised the Federal Government of Nigeria to extend the border closure to restriction of movement of livestock and refined petroleum products from other countries to Nigeria.

If this is done, it will encourage Nigeria's livestock rearers and refineries to produce more and as well, conserve the nation foreign exchange, he said.

Onuesoke, while commending the President Muhammadu Buhari ‘s government over the closure of land border with neighbouring countries, however pointed out that the actions and benefits expected from it will not be completed if livestocks like cattle, sheep, goats and finished petroleum products among others, are  allowed to be moved into the country.

The PDP Chieftain who gave the advise while speaking on the sidelines during NewsExpress 7th Annual Lecture held at Sheraton Hotels and Towers, Ikeja Lagos,   disclosed that it is disappointing that while the Nigerian customs have been vociferous and active  about seizure of rice, poultry products and other goods, it has not made mention of intercepted cattle, sheep or goats that are moved across the border by nomadic persons.

“It has been on record that cattle are moved from Chad, Niger and Mali into Nigeria's territories by herdsmen, either in search of green grass or for sale to Nigerian consumers. But it is unfortunate that since the border closure, nothing has been said about the movement of these livestock".

"Does it mean that they are exempted from the border closure policy? He queried.

“Nigerians will want to hear that hundreds of cows that are being imported into the country have intercepted by the Customs. Rather, we hear of only rice, chicken, turkey or fairly used clothes. The Customs should allow the policy to affect all products. What is worth doing at all, is worth doing well”, Onuesoke stated.

He alleged that there are ongoing rumours  that despite the border closure, foreign rice are still being imported into Nigeria through the Northern part of the country.

“There is a video trending online of  vehicles loaded with rice allegedly being escorted into Nigeria to the Northern part of the country by security men. Besides, Nigeria Tribune recently reported that despite the ban of rice two months ago, foreign rice still flood Sokoto markets. The security officers of Customs should investigate these allegations and if it is true, they should try as much as possible to block these loop holes".

"They should not make Nigerians feel that  the border closure is made for only one side of the nation", he stressed.

Onuesoke who said finished petroleum products should be banned from entering the country, advised that the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC should fix the refineries to the extent of producing all of the nation’s petroleum needs.

“If this is not possible, NNPC should be closed down and let’s focus on imported products. NNPC should be given ultimatum of three months to fix our refineries to make sure we stop the importation of finished products”, he stated.