The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, the emir of Kano, on Wednesday threw his support behind the federal government’s decision to close the land borders in a bid to protect rice farmers.
The charismatic royal father and former governor of Nigeria’s apex bank who made the disclosure while addressing newsmens at Addressing his palace, said the closure is the only way to enforce Nigeria’s anti-smuggling laws.
He said, “Closing the borders becomes indispensable because our neighbouring countries are not helping us to protect our economy. For instance, if you want to protect rice farmers, you have to impose heavy taxation on the importation of foreign rice into the country.”
“Therefore, any country that allows smuggling of rice into Nigeria through its borders is doing that at the expense of our farmers who could not withstand competition with foreign producers. Besides rice and other food items, you must also understand that all the illicit drugs get into this country through the land borders.
“So sometimes it is important to take these difficult decisions so that we get the cooperation and collaboration of Customs officials across the borders. It is something that I wholeheartedly support. I think it is temporary and I think it will lead to improvement.”
The federal government in August closed its land borders in a move to check smuggling.
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