Dotun Adeboye, Jide Osoba, Abeokuta
The House of Representatives member representing the people of Imeko-Afon and Egbado North at the national assembly, Hon Olaifa Jimoh Aremu (OJA) has expressed shock at the federal government decision to close all land borders in the country as such closure is taking toll on the people of his constituency who are predominantly farmers.
Hon Olaifa however appealed to the government to temper justice with mercy with the famers whose source of survival are tied to farming.
The federal lawmaker made the plea in an exclusive interview with Gateway Times today in Abeokuta the Ogun state capital.
According to him, he had personally visited the people of Ilara, Iwoye, Tobolo and Oja Odan to access the situation of things. “The reaction from my people is worrisome as the border closure has become untold hardship on them,” Olaifa said.
Olaifa said though, the government would have had one reasons or the other in closing the border areas, but argued that the people of his constituency who are majorly farmers could not move their farm products which are primarily perishable goods in and out of the area.
In his own words, “Many of the notable leaders from the senatorial districts have spoken on the issue, and all they wanted is to appeal to the concerned authorities to lift the ban on the exportation of the farmers’ farm products.
In this regard, I want to also join my voice with our leaders in identifying with the farmers. There shouldn’t be blanket closure of the border in the interest of our people,” Olaifa concluded.
