Border closure poses challenge to NGA'ian traders

Nigerian dealers of automobile spare parts in Cameroon fear a rupture of their stocks following the closing of the terrestrial borders between the North-West and the South-west of Cameroon and Nigeria.

"For one week, I have been kept waiting in Nigeria to renew certain contracts with my suppliers of spare parts. But, it has not been possible because of the closing of all the roads in the South-west of Cameroon where I am accustomed to passing", explains Elias Ogun, general manager of an establishment of sale of automobile parts at Mvog-Ada, a district of Yaounde, the political capital of Cameroon.

Indeed, following the threat of the Ebola fever, which already caused four deaths in Nigeria, the governors of the areas of the South-west and the North-West of Cameroon decided, to close the terrestrial borders to their respective localities with Nigeria, on a purely preventive basis.

Because of the closing of these borders, Nigerian salesmen of spare parts for vehicles fear out-of-stock conditions. "The stores are likely to be empty in the next days, if the supplies are not made", complains Christopher Lena, vice-president of the association of the Nigerian tradesmen in Camp Yabassi, in Douala.

This measurement penalizes me doubly: not only that I do not have my goods, but my capital is also blocked there, whereas I made loans to start the business ", added Aloysus Uche, a Nigerian trader.

Besides Nigeria remains the principal supplier of automobile elements in Cameroon.

As an example, the total quantum of imports of Cameroon coming from Nigeria was estimated at 22 and 17,8 percent in 2011 and 2012, respectively. According to the Cameroonian minister Trade, Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, trade between Nigeria and Cameroon is evaluated to 382 billion FCFA per annum, except the smuggled goods which enter fraudulently to Cameroon in favour of the porosity of the long terrestrial border of almost 2000km.

Nigerian Traders estimate that the closing of the terrestrial borders which occurred on August 18, 2014 between Cameroon and their country would be prejudicial for 382 billion FCFA trade between the two countries.

In addition to the automobile elements, Cameroon also imports from Nigeria electronic instruments, beauty products, detergents, cigarettes and multiple delicacies.