Ouahigouya: More than 3,000 counterfeit March 8th fabrics, valued at 3,500,000 CFA francs, have been seized by the National Coordination for the Fight Against Fraud (CNLF) and will be distributed to vulnerable people in the Kadiogo and Guiriko regions, AIB learned on Monday.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the Minister of Economy, Aboubakar Nacanabo, stated that instead of destroying the seized pagnes, they will be handed over to the Ministry of Solidarity for People in Difficulty and Displaced Persons. This approach marks a shift in handling such cases, where destruction was previously the norm. Mr. Nacanabo also emphasized that individuals arrested for the fraud will be publicly identified on television and that any transport vehicles used will be confiscated. He called on transporters to avoid assisting fraudsters by providing their trucks.

Dr. Mahamadi Compaor©, the national coordinator for the fight against fraud, highlighted that the confiscated fabrics became state property following a court order, allowing for their redistribution. He noted that the fabrics were smuggled into Burkina Faso despite an import ban, with the seizure occurring on a road in Bobo-Dioulasso. The primary beneficiaries of this initiative will be the Kadiogo and Guiriko regions.

Lieutenant-Colonel P©lagie Kabor©, the Minister of Family and Solidarity, expressed support for the initiative, noting its importance in assisting vulnerable individuals such as internally displaced persons, returnees, orphans, the elderly, and disabled people. She praised the CNLF for their efforts, emphasizing the protection it provides to the local market and artisans producing traditional fabrics like Faso Danfani and Koko Donda.