On Monday, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and its counterpart in Benin Republic agreed to resolve the numerous levies on transit shipments throughout the ECOWAS corridor.
They also agreed to coordinate import prohibition policies so that whatever was prohibited in Nigeria would likewise be prohibited in Benin.
Mr Adewale Adeniyi, Acting Comptroller-General of NCS, stated this during a working visit to Cotonou, where some decisions were taken between the two countries.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the comptroller-general also paid visits to Webb Fontaine, the Port of Cotonou, the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and held an interactive session with stakeholders.
“”In terms of steps to be implemented to ensure good ties between the two nations, it is necessary to promote the ECOWAS trade liberalisation scheme and the facilitation of the movement of goods, particularly community products.”
“Ensure the removal of barriers and other impediments to legitimate trade, as well as the establishment of customs units when traffic warrants it.”
“”Ensure rigorous adherence to transit restrictions and harmonisation of the two nations’ lists of forbidden products.”
“There should be a rapid integration of Nigeria into the Interconnected System for the Management of Goods in Transit (SIGMAT), which already includes the Customs Administrations of Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Senegal, and Togo,” he stated.
According to Adeniyi, the two countries agreed to boost the battle against cross-border crime through cooperation, intelligence sharing, and resource pooling.
He stated that Nigeria and Benin Republic would meet twice a year to discuss issues of mutual interest.
“The joint committee for monitoring trade and transit relations will be reactivated.”
“There will also be a revival of border customs consultation frameworks with active participation of the private sector,” he stated.
Adeniyi congratulated his Benin Republic counterpart, Mr Romuald Wadagni, Senior Minister in charge of Economy and Finance, Benin Republic President, Patrice Talon, and the people of Benin Republic for the warm welcome.
Mr Alain Hinkati, Director-General of Benin Republic Customs, was asked to pay an official business visit to Nigeria to follow up on the conclusions.
Hinkati welcomed the invitation with joy, stating the dates would be worked out later.
At the Nigerian Embassy in Benin Republic, Adeniyi informed the Nigerian Ambassador to Benin Republic, Mr Olukayode Aluko, that the border agreement will be reviewed again.
The ambassador asked the acting comptroller-general to utilise his good office to improve the situation on the ground and prevent illegal roadblocks from springing up along the route.
Aluko stated that the customs chief needed to engage his Benin counterpart aggressively since they were willing to work with Nigeria.
“Benin Republic is eager to do business with us, so we must focus on creating a conducive environment and ensuring borders are opened on comparatively favourable terms.”
“The ultimate goal is to have a Nigeria/Benin Joint Commission, and we intend to achieve this by the end of the year,” he stated.
Mr Anicet Houngbo, Director-General of Webb Fontaine, said that Benin Republic’s success as a major transit hub would not have been possible without the unwavering support of Nigeria.
According to Houngbo, the geographical situation of the Benin Republic in relation to Nigeria represents a significant opportunity for them.
He stated that the problem Nigeria was facing was due to the choice of the project owner. (NAN)
