N1.2bn Lost in 3 Weeks as Ghana Restricts Nigerian Onion Trucks, NOPPMAN Halts Exports
N1.2bn Lost in 3 Weeks as Ghana Restricts Nigerian Onion Trucks, NOPPMAN Halts Exports
From Bashir Rabe Mani in Sokoto
The lNational Onion Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria, (NOPPMAN), says Nigerian onion marketers have lost over N1.2 billion in about three weeks due to the continued restriction of Nigerian and Nigerien onion trucks at Kotoku Market in Ghana.
The National President, Alhaji Aliyu Isah Maitasamu Isa, disclosed this on Sunday while addressing newsmen in Sokoto.
NOPPMAN said the delays are causing massive financial losses and exposing highly perishable onions to deterioration.
The association acknowledged interventions by the Governments of Nigeria and Ghana, particularly the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment of Nigeria and the Deputy Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry of Ghana.
However, Maitasamu said despite previous resolutions, Nigerian onion trucks are still being restricted from offloading at Kotoku Market.
“The resulting delays are causing significant financial losses to exporters and transporters and exposing our highly perishable onions to deterioration,” he stated.
“In the last three weeks alone, our members have lost over N1.2 billion worth of onions and transport costs. This is threatening the livelihoods of thousands of farmers and traders,” he added.
He further said NOPPMAN will not resume onion exports to Ghana and other affected countries until workable agreements are reached.
“Meanwhile, we will not resume the exports until when we work out workable agreements with the various countries,” he said.
He stressed that NOPPMAN’s concern is not with the people or traders of Ghana, but with unilateral restrictions imposed by market actors* that contradict agreements previously reached by stakeholders.
“No market association or group of traders should be in a position to unilaterally determine the movement, allocation or offloading of legitimate consignments originating from another ECOWAS Member State,” he said.
Maitasamu called on ECOWAS to urgently intervene as a neutral mediator and facilitate a lasting solution involving the Governments of Nigeria and Ghana, trade authorities, and onion associations from both countries.
He also proposed a formal Memorandum of Agreement for cross-border onion trade, guided by the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme, AfCFTA and other regional frameworks.
The proposed agreement, he said, should establish clear rules on market access, truck movement, offloading, allocation of consignments and dispute resolution* to prevent future detentions and trade disruptions.
“We are seeking a permanent and fair system. NOPPMAN remains ready to engage with all relevant stakeholders to establish a transparent and sustainable framework that protects legitimate traders while strengthening regional food security and intra-African trade,” he said.
Nigeria and Ghana share one of West Africa’s busiest agricultural trade corridors, with onions from Sokoto, Kano and Kebbi forming a major part of Ghana’s food supply.
