The Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) has called on the Nigerian government to reopen boarders and find a lasting solution to rice smuggling.
The economic union of fifteen countries through its officials in a statement on Tuesday said the border closure might affect the implementation of free trade movement within the region.
Moustapha Lo, speaker of the ECOWAS parliament, asked the Nigerian government reopens its borders at the ongoing 2nd extraordinary session of the ECOWAS parliament in Monrovia.
“The ECOWAS Parliament calls for compliance with Community provisions and thus calls for the reopening of borders and a coordinated fight against smuggling in the region.
“The root causes of this recurrent situation must be studied with a view to finding a permanent solution,” the statement said.
Okay.ng reports that President Muhmmadu Buhari had confirmed the closure of borders due rice smugglers.