By Uzor Odigbo
The Western Zone Coordinator , National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Dr Fred Ajuzie, has expressed optimism over the exemption of Dangote and BUA Groups from land borders closure.
He said that it was a sign that the Federal Government would gradually reopen the international frontiers for businesses to thrive.
Ajuzie, who spoke in Lagos on Thursday, was reacting on government’s exemption of the two conglomerates from border closure.
The Nigerian government had shutdown the borders against neighbouring countries in the West African sub-region for over a year, a situation that has stirred mixed reactions among businessmen and investors across the country.
The NAGAFF stalwart, however, commended the innovation by the Buhari-led administration , noting that more conglomerates would likely be considered in few weeks to come.
He also reiterated that the conglomerates had been tested and trusted by the government as Nigerian brands thus must be consistent in the production chain line within the sub Saharan region.
The Chief Executive Officer, Pat Fuze Nigeria Limited, a freight forwarding and Customs broker outfit, noted that government actions to allow some of the investors to transact their businesses along the international frontiers despite the closure was devoid of tribal and political colouration .
According to him, Dangote and BUA Groups deserved the exemption, following their contribution to nation building and economy sustainability.
While stressing the importance of the conglomerates, he added: “This is not about sentiment because what government has done now is that they are about to reopen the borders.”