Truck drivers say the ban on the exportation of food is causing shortages and hiking prices in parts of Nigeria – and preventing them from providing for their families.

Frustrated truck drivers are stranded at Muna Garage in Maiduguri – their vehicles are loaded and they ready to roll but a ban on the exportation of food to neighbouring countries has forced them to slam on the brakes.

They say the ban does not apply only to neighbouring countries, they have even been stopped from transporting food to other parts of Nigeria which has resulted in price hikes and shortages.
Borno State governor Babagana Umara Zulum announced on Sunday, January 7, during a food distribution exercise in Gamboru Ngala, that food and building materials would no longer be exported to Chad, Niger, Cameroon, the Central African Republic and Sudan.

He said the exportation of food items to neighbouring countries had contributed to the hike in costs in the state and the ban would help to stabilise prices.
However, since he made the announcement, nothing has changed – except the transportation of food.

Two months after Zulum’s announcement, on Wednesday, March 6, the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) intercepted 21 trucks loaded with food items being transported to Cameroon.
Drivers, traders and merchants were told by the EFCC that the government had banned the exportation of food items to the neighbouring countries.

But drivers and merchants claim that no one has informed about the ban.
They told RNI that they had contacted their union but they had still not been informed officially – nor had they received any official documents.

Drivers and merchants from Niger, Chad and Cameroon are now stranded and, even though they have asked the truck drivers’ association to intervene since the 21 trucks were intercepted, they have not had a positive response.
And Nigerian truck drivers, whose vehicles are parked at Muna Garage where they are normally loaded and unloaded, say they are stuck.

When RNI visited the garage on Wednesday, March 13, the drivers complained that they had not been allowed “to move an inch”.

The garage was full of trucks – some were empty but many were fully loaded with food items and building materials, as well as other goods.

Frustrated drivers said they had been stuck for days. They said trucking goods was their sole means of employment and the Borno State government’s sanction was affecting their livelihoods because they could no longer provide for their families.

They said they were not even allowed to transport food to other areas of the state which were experiencing shortages because of the ban.

Truck driver Mohammed Musa said: “I normally transport goods from Maiduguri to N’Djamena in Chad and Kousséri in Cameroon. For days now, we have been prevented from leaving Muna Garage. Our trucks are parked and we have been sleeping under the trees. Meantime our families are not getting any money.
“We were told that we cannot transport food through Gamboru Ngala. When asked what sort of food items, they told us anything edible. We are not allowed to take rice, corn, wheat or even millet. We are only allowed to transport passengers. Only passengers are allowed to cross the border.

“As truck drivers we do not transport specific items. We will transport anything that needs to be taken somewhere. But this ban is affecting our work. We are begging the government to lift the sanction.”

Modu Mamman Tar said: “I normally transport goods to Dikwa, Ngala and even Kala Balge, the easternmost local government area in Borno State. Now we have been told we’re not allowed to transport goods even within Nigeria, let alone outside the country.

“As a driver, if I don’t transport goods I can’t provide for my family.
“When drivers try to leave they are told to turn back. Drivers and merchants from Ngala, Kala Balge, Dikwa and Marte are all in a dilemma.

“For a week now we have just parked our trucks. No one is allowed to leave. There are fellow Nigerian truck drivers but also some from Chad, Cameroon and the Central African Republic. We are all stranded.”

Abatcha Kura is one of the drivers whose truck was intercepted by the EFCC.
“I don’t travel out of the country. I normally transport goods to Kala Balge, Mafa, Dikwa and Gamboru Ngala. That’s my limit. I don’t go beyond that.

“I transport food and any other items that are needed. My truck is fully loaded but I have been stuck here for more than a week.”

Kura told RNI that drivers wanted to hold a demonstration in Maiduguri against the ban and had intended to block the roads with their trucks.
“But union leaders pleaded with us and stopped us from protesting. They assured us our trucks would be released in the coming days. We decided not to go through with the protest and we will wait to see what happens next – and if the authorities return our vehicles.”
Kura said the ban was having a significant impact on the prices of commodities in Gamboru Ngala, Dikwa and in other border communities.

“When we contacted home [Gamboru Ngala] we were told that a pack of spaghetti has jumped to ₦900 from just ₦700.
“We have been told that some traders are smuggling food items to Gamboru and other border communities using passenger vehicles. But the cost is very expensive – around ₦10,000 per trip. And they will be in big trouble if they’re caught.”
Mohammed Adam, a trader, said: “I bought sugar, rice and maize to sell in Gamboru Ngala but, unfortunately, the government hasn’t lifted the ban. We have heard that they need the food items because they have finished supplies there.

“People in Gamboru Ngala tell us they cannot access food. The tragedy is that they are in Nigeria and we cannot deliver food to them. It’s not as if they are in a neighbouring country. We have begged and pleaded with authorities and they will not budge. They do not even listen to union leaders. We just hope there will be a positive outcome and that we can soon start trading again.”

AYSHA MUSTAPHA KOLOMI