Nigeria, Benin Republic Tie Will Result To Borders Reopening In SouthWest – Expert

Sequel to last Thursday meeting between the Nigeria Customs Service and its Benin Republic counterpart, there are indications that the federal government is set to reopen the land borders within the south west, a transport expert, Alhaji Nasiru Salami has predicted.

DAILYFOCUS NIGERIA reports that the northern borders were reopened recently courtesy the federal government directive.

Salami who is a chieftain of Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owner (NARTO) in a chat over the weekend , stated that the reopening of the border with Benin Republic is long overdue based on the visit by the Comptroller General of Customs.

Salami who also doubles as the Public Relations Officer of West Africa Road Transport Union (WARTU) noted that most of the borders within the northern parts of the country have been reopened for businesses stressing that the two countries share multiple borders thus the need to free flow of goods and services.

According to him , Kwara, Niger ,Oyo and Kebbi,Ogun and Lagos share borders with Benin adding that the visit by the customs top brass would facilitate reopening of the frontiers .

Recall that in an effort to strengthen the longstanding partnership between the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and its counterpart in the Republic of Benin, a high-powered delegation led by the Comptroller-General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, embarked on a crucial mission to meet with the Director-General of the Customs Administration of Benin Republic on Thursday, 11 April, 2024.

The primary focus of the meeting, as outlined by the CGC, was to deliberate on strategies aimed at amplifying trade activities between the two nations and ensuring the seamless implementation of recommendations previously discussed during their rendezvous in Cotonou.

Highlighting the significance of the collaboration, the CGC underscored, “We are cognizant of the established framework for cooperation between our respective customs administrations. This framework was established at a higher level by the authorities of the heads of State, President Patrice Talon of Benin and His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria, both expressing a desire to work together. It is upon this foundation that the customs of both countries are united in their efforts.”

Welcoming the delegation with open arms, Mrs Adidjatou Hassan Zanouvi, the Director-General of Benin Customs Administration, reiterated their steadfast commitment to executing the mutually agreed-upon measures, emphasising the importance of thorough monitoring to ensure effective implementation.

The collaborative endeavours between the Nigeria Customs Service and the Benin Republic Customs Administration, according to her, serve as a testament to their shared commitment to facilitating seamless trade operations and ensuring the efficient management of cross-border activities for the mutual benefit of both nations.

In the meantime, during the visit, the CGC seized the opportunity to inspect ongoing projects within the Nigeria Customs Service, Seme Area Command. Accompanied by the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Timi Bomodi, the CGC meticulously assessed the progress of the projects and received assurances of diligent oversight from the responsible authorities.