The effect of the prolonged border closure between Nigerian and Benin Republic is beginning to manifest with the lockdown in neighbouring countries as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, even as businesses are under heavy strain. Nigeria, Benin Republic’s neighbor and major trading partner had August last year shut down its borders as part of efforts aimed at protecting its economy from smuggling and other criminal cross border activities that posed a threat to the country’s economic recovery programme. The border closure which continued inspite of efforts by different multilateral organizations such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and African Union (AU) to bring a truce was partially lifted before the Coronavirus outbreak. Cross border businesses have been brought to a standstill since last year as business people who rely on the route count their losses.
Now, with the regional lockdown especially in Nigeria and Ghana, two major regional economies, and inspite of the fact that there is no lockdown in Benin, the Covid-19 pandemic has forced them to slow down nevertheless, putting many at risk of food insecurity. Half the population in Benin lives below the poverty line and many rely on informal jobs that have dried up amid the health crisis. Moreso, as sources of food supply from Nigeria dried up most Beninese are finding it hard to eke out a living.
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To this end, food donations are being organised to help those most in need. Some of those donations went to an orphanage in the Togbin area, which hasn’t received funding in two months as its biggest donor is based in hard-hit Italy. Children are further at risk because of the closure of schools and the lack of school lunches.
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Poor families are suffering too. One father of five had to stop fishing after it was banned. He’s trying to support his family by sewing, but isn’t sure he will be able to recover financially. In the absence of promised government aid, those in need have had to rely on donations from their fellow citizens to survive. Critics are calling on the government of Benin to intervene by making food available for the people as hunger is threatening the security of the country.
Kelechi Deca
Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry