A member representing Ipokia Constituency in Ogun State House of Assembly, Sikiratu Ajibola has lamented increased prices of goods at Idiroko and other border communities following the partial closure of land borders and subsequent ban on fuel supply to communities within 20 kilometers from the borders.
Ajibola equally alleged extortion of residents by those she termed ‘bad eggs’ among the operatives Joint Task Force operatives in charge of border control.
Speaking with newsmen in Abeokuta, the legislator expressed concern that some locally made goods bought by her constituents and being transported down to Idiroko and other communities were confiscated by the operatives.
Ajibola said traffic logjam has been created on narrow bridge at Yewa River, Ajilete due to “unnecessary checks” by the operatives.
According to her, the bridge may collapse any moment from now due to retainment of heavy goods on the bridge rather than free – flow of vehicular movement.
The lawmaker wondered why “Out of numerous border communities in Nigeria only residents Ipokia LGA and its environs are treated with disdain.”
“The prices of consumer goods have skyrocketed in Idiroko and her environs. Also, there have been heavy traffic logjam on the narrow bridge on Yewa River at Ajilete and the bridge may collapse anytime from now because it is meant for flow of loads and not retainment of such.
“During the yuletide, citizens travelling to celebrate Christmas and the New Year with their families are extorted by the bad eggs of the JTF and consumer goods which include perishable ones like fish were seized. I want to add that seized trucks packed on the narrow Sango to Idiroko border road are posing dangerous threat to lives of commuters,” Ajibola said.
She, however, called on Governor Dapo Abiodun to wade into the matter with a view to alleviating suffering of the communities.