Reps support continued closure of land borders

Members of the House of Representatives on Wednesday kicked against a motion on the re-opening of the land borders across the country.

The lawmakers were divided over a motion praying that the Federal Government should re-open Idiroko border and others, sponsored by Hon. Kolawole Lawal, Hon. Babatunde Humpe and 8 others.

In his lead debate, Hon. Lawal who lamented that the closure is affecting the people living around the borders expressed optimism that the reopening of the borders will boost economic activities and revenue generation to the nation’s economy.

To this end, he urged Federal Government to invest in better border security and surveillance as well as strengthen human capacity at the borders to curb insecurity, smuggling and other crimes around the border communities.

Speaking in support of the motion, Hon. Sada Soli, who affirmed that the reason for the closure has been counter-productive, argued that continued closure of the land borders will aggravate the poverty level.

He said: “One of the reasons for closing the borders is arms smuggling, but has anything changed? The closure has encouraged extortion, corruption, extra-judicial killings. Anyone in doubt should visit there undercover to prove this.”

On his part, Hon. Isiaka Ibrahim who stressed the need for the Federal Government to change its strategy on preventing smuggling instead of closing borders said: “We have tested the closure, the government should know that it is not working, they need to change strategy.”

On his part, Hon. Sergius Ogun argued that the policy of the government has not worked to prevent smuggling, adding that the borders should be reopened.

However in his contribution, Hon. Rotimi Agunsoye who expressed support for the continued closure of land borders, however, lamented over the discriminatory closure of the land borders.

According to him, “The question is, are the borders closed? Closure at the borders should be tightened so that we will live in harmony, stem the tide of insecurity, ensure food security.”

On his part, the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Idris Wase was of the view that the border closure has stemmed insecurity and illegal movement of light arms.

On her part, Chairman House Committee on Science and Technology, Hon. Beni Lar argued that the closure of the border has helped the agricultural sector.

She said, “I support the Deputy Speaker’s position. Border closure is the best thing for Nigeria. The local economy is growing, if we open the borders it will affect local turnovers. For now, it should leave it closed.”

After the heated debate, the majority of the lawmakers voted against the motion through voice vote.

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