Too many checkpoints killing Badagry trade — Rep Whingan

The member representing Badagry Federal Constituency of Lagos State in the House of Representatives, Sesi Whingan has said that operations of security agents along the Badagry/Seme border road was negatively affecting business activities in the area.

Speaking when the House of Representatives Committee on Customs visited the Seme border command of the Nigerian Customs Service, Whinghan said the numerous security check points on the road were frustrating the people of the area who are engaged in legitimate business.

Though the Area Comptroller of Customs at the Seme Border Ben Oramalugo said the Cudtoms has reduced the number of check points on the road to about five, Whinghan said he was not satisfied by the action as other security agents are still mounting several check points on the road frustrating the people.

He said “your activities is hampering the development of Badagry. There are too many road blocks right from Lagos to Badagry and to Seme. These road blocks is subjecting the people of Badagry to poverty.

“We have tried so much to criminalise trans border trade in food and that should not be so because cross border trade in food is legitimate”.

He however told The Nation that though he is not satisfied by steps taken to address the situation, he would seek a stakeholders meeting with the security agents with a view to addressing the situation once and for all.

Whingan has earlier moved a motion on at plenary asking the House to put an end to multiple check points on the road in the area.