Reno Omokri, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is full of praises for President Bola Tinubu, who on Wednesday directed that Nigeria’s land and air borders with the Republic of Niger be opened.
The Federal Government also restored the supply of electricity to the Niger, which was halted as a result of the sanctions against the neighbouring country by the Economic Community of West African States.
Reacting to the new development, Reno observed that within 48 hours, the prices of cement crashed.
He noted that the price of rice was reduced marginally in border areas and Indomie Noodles is now slightly more affordable.
In his words: “Reopening the border was a genius move on the part of President Tinubu. He opened the border, and within 48 hours, the cement price crashed. Rice was reduced marginally in border areas.
“And Indomie Noodles is now slightly more affordable. Undoing the damage wreaked on our economy will take time. But With steps like the border reopening, it is possible.”
Recall that earlier in August last year, ECOWAS, led by Tinubu, imposed sanctions on Niger following a coup that toppled the country’s President-elect, Mohamed Bazoum, in July 2023. Officers of the Niger Presidential Guard had on July 26, 2023, arrested Bazoum and declared him deposed.
In their reactions, ECOWAS leaders demanded the full restoration of constitutional order in Niger and declared Bazoum’s arrest and detention illegal.
In addition to a one-week ultimatum to restore constitutional order and the suspension of financial transactions, ECOWAS directed the freezing of “all service transactions, including energy transactions” with Niger.
Impeccable sources in Nigeria’s power sector last year confirmed the cutting of electricity to Niger, which was also reported by the AFP.
The international medium quoted a source close to the management of the Nigerien Electricity Company, popularly known as Nigelec, adding that the move was in line with the sanctions decided by ECOWAS.
