Strong indications emerged that it might not yet be Uhuru for Nigerian businesses, especially manufacturing firms that engage in cross- border trade, as most of them still groan despite the recent decision of the Federal Government to reopen additional four land borders, which were among those shut about four years ago. The government had then claimed that the closure of her land borders was part of measures to curtail illegal import of light weapons and arms and ammunition as well as other forms of smuggling activities.

The Nigeria Customs Service had in a recent circular titled: ‘Re-opening of four additional Nigerian border posts’, announced the reopening of four additional land border comprising Idiroko in Ogun State, Jibiya border post in/ Katsina State (North-West Zone); Kamba border post, Kebbi State (North-West Zone); and Ikom border post, Cross River State (South-South Zone).

But a source close to the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria MAN, umbrella body for all the real sector giants in the country hinted that members of the association are still grappling with the huge challenge of freighting their products to the neighbouring countries, especially to Ghana through the Seme Border with the Republic of Benin, as they face hostilities.

The source also disclosed that the Nigerian manufacturers are still made to pay the N9million mandatory transit levy per truck, without which the truck would not be allowed to pass through the Benin border. It was gathered that this the imposition of this N9million levy was a retaliatory policy by the Benin authorities to protest Nigeria’s decision to shut her land borders against her West African neighbours.

Investigations further show that the hostilities associated with the collection of the levy have worsened as many Nigerian businesses now use the Lome Port in Togo following the discovery that it is cheaper and easier to ship raw materials and other consignments than the Cotonou Port and move same in or out of Nigeria by road under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme ETLS.

The source further disclosed that Nigerian businesses had to go through these hurdles in the hands of foreigners that because the country’s ports in Apapa are very expensive and cumbersome in their processes, which made them resort to neighbouring African ports.

“We wish to see a time when Nigeria would decentralise her seaport operations by making the ports in the eastern part of the country to work and reduce the immense pressure on the Lagos Ports with the attendant delays and high cost associated with such delays.

“It will be far cheaper for us to take delivery of or even ship our consignments or raw materials from overseas at Onne Ports or any other ports outside Lagos and move them by road to the required final destinations without facing hostilities and paying levies that have no service functions to our businesses to the Republic of Benin and Togolese authorities”, the source further lamented.

Recall that a circular signed by Deputy Comptroller-General E. I. Edorhe, on behalf of the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Hameed Ali, penultimate week listed the borders as Idiroko border, Jibiya border, Kamba and Ikom border with Cameroon in Cross River State.

The circular also said that the reopening of the four additional borders was sequel to a Presidential directive dated December 16, 2020, granting approval for phased reopening of land borders namely; Mfum, Seme, Illela and Maigatari borders across the country with copies sent to all Zonal headquarters of the service as well as Customs area commands.

Stakeholders have however argued that the closure of the borders since 2019 has actually served no useful purpose as arms smuggling and insecurity as well as influx of foreign made fake and substandard products have worsened in the country since then.

They further argued that the only purpose the border closure has served is probably to pitch Nigerians against their West African neighbours, who saw the closure as a deliberate way to stifle their local economies, which rely so much on Nigeria’s.

“As a result, many of these neighbouring West African countries have become hostile to Nigerians and therefore introduced policies; including levies that would also harm Nigerian businesses in retaliation as you can see in the mandatory N9million transit fee by the Republic of Benin”, a Nigerian freight forwarder, who pleaded anonymity said.