The cross-border smuggling of rice has become a thorn in the flesh of some West African countries sharing the Gulf of Guinea. To this end, Nigeria, Niger and Benin Republic are up in arms to checkmate the odd. The Ambassador of Benin Republic to Nigeria, Paulette Yekpe, has said that the proposed tripartite meeting by the three countries, will establish a framework to address the menace of rice smuggling.
Ms. Yekpe made this known while briefing journalists on Monday in Abuja on sideline of activities marking the 58th Independence anniversary of the country. She said that the smuggling of rice and other products posed a threat to the relationship between the three countries.
The ambassador said that although ECOWAS protocol paved way for the free movement of citizens within the sub-region, more needed to be done through regional integration to tackle rice smuggling.
According to Ms Yekpe, Nigeria and Benin have always worked together to beef up border security in the past. She, therefore, expressed the determination to strengthen the collaboration between the three countries, to curb illegal rice smuggling into Nigeria.
As the envoy explained, “Nigeria and Benin have historical ties with over 800 km of land borders; no matter the number of custom officers we put to man the place, our borders will always be porous. The reality on ground is that fresh strategy should be mapped out to check the incidence of rice smuggling.
She pointed out that the ECOWAS protocols would not allow any of the countries to turn back the citizens of sister-countries even when they engage in unwholesome practices. Ms. Yekpe, however, noted that the principles could be streamlined to nab unscrupulous elements involved in criminal activities.
Other diplomats from the affected countries in the sub-region have hailed the essence of ECOWAS but cautioned that the grey areas in parts of the statutes should be revisited to make economic integration in the sub-region more beneficial to the constituent states.
