Harboursandport.com: Lagos - Vice
President of the Association of Nigeria Tyre Marketers, ANTM, Okechukwu
Eze-Ifeoma, recently spoke with Harboursandport.com on the effect of the border
closure on sales, struggling of traders in the market following the clock down
as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, traders’ agony during the raining season
and more.
Excerpt:
I
got information that Nigerian traders in some African countries have resorted
to importing directly from China instead of coming to Nigeria to buy, Trade
Fair market is one of the biggest markets in the country; therefore you should
know. Is this information correct?
That is
correct. Most people now are buying directly from China, even before the
lockdown, you know that there was border closure which the government has failed to
re-open even before COVID-19.
When
COVID-19 came everything became serious and restricted. It is true and the
effect on the economy of the country now is huge because in the even the
interstate trade is affected.
Many
people that are supposed to be coming to Nigeria; you know; why most of these
countries come to Nigeria is because of the competitive nature of Nigeria
business.
One
particular product, more than 2,000 people will be importing it. At times you
can even get it cheaper, instead of going to China to buy one container; you
could get someone who could buy 50 containers.
But
it should be cheaper to import directly from China or the source of such
products?
That is
not true, most of them know that they can get it cheaper; which stops them from
going to China to buy directly. Not only Ghana, even Angola. Most of the people
from Angola come to Nigeria as well.
Most
people from Malawi, all these countries come to Nigeria to buy but these days;
most of them have been directing their money to China to buy directly. If you
buy products and you cannot bring it to your base, it is of no use.
It is not
just Ghana but other African countries that normally patronise Nigeria market,
they do not come again. If you come to the market, the effect is very clear.
What
is the situation in the market presently?
These
days we are normally one day on one day off. On the day we are on, we send 2-3
hours and we are already packing to head back home. Before some of us will get
to the market, it is already 10 – 11 am.
Before
you know what is happening; it is already 2 pm and you have started packing
again (as a result of the 3 pm closing time for markets)
That
has to do with the failed portion of the roads?
No,
it has to do what the clock down because of COVID-19.
I
mean the time you spend to get to the office?
Yes,
because of the bad roads and we are also in the raining season. When it rains,
every road will be flooded. If you are wise enough before 2 pm you must leave
the market if you wait till 3 pm; which is the closing time; you will spend 7
hours from the market to the major road.
Just
in Amuwo-Odofin area here, from Apple junction to Agor palace road or from
Apple junction to 2nd rainbow is a no-go-area when it rains. The
suffering is just unbearable.
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