The National Association of Nigerian Traders (NANTS) says it has lost confidence in the ability of protracted diplomatic dialogue to solve the sour bilateral trade relationship between Nigeria and Ghana.
NANTS President, Dr. Ken Ukaoha made this known on Thursday in Abuja while reacting to the Nigerian Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo’s visit to Ghana.
Ukaoha, however, commended the Federal Government’s effort to deal with the issue.
Osinbajo had on Tuesday met with representatives of the Nigerian community in Ghana as part of the efforts to resolve issues arising from the one-million-dollar levy imposed by the Ghanaian authorities on Nigerian traders.
The meeting, which was held at the official residence of the Nigerian High Commissioner to Ghana, was focused on the challenges facing Nigerians living in the West African nation including the maltreatment and locking of hundreds of Nigerian owned shops.
“While we commend the Vice President and the Muhammadu Buhari administration, we also wish to point out that we have lost confidence in the ability of protracted diplomatic dialogue to solve the sour bilateral trade relationship between the two countries of ECOWAS.
“Perhaps, some reciprocity may be considered so as to jolt both parties to come to the table with frankness and transparent actions.
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“Ghana cannot incessantly lock the over 250 shops belonging to Nigerian traders and playing the ostrich with diplomatic engagements with Nigeria.
“Meanwhile, the particular Ghana Investment Promotions Council law (GIPC Act 865), which is the nucleus of the perennial matter remains untouched by the Ghanaian Parliament.
“In spite of the fact of its contradiction with the ECOWAS treaty and other regional instruments, as well as all entities used have all failed,’’ the economic development law advocate said.
Ukaoha, however, noted that it was a deliberate calculation to muzzle Nigeria’s investments, “which is tantamount to an economic war’’.
NAN recalls that Ghanaian officials had sealed off the shops belonging to Nigerian traders for allegedly failing to pay the one-million-dollar equity stipulated by the Ghana Investment Promotions Council.