The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is taking steps to strengthen trade relations and improve the economy by fully re-opening the border with the Republic of Benin. The Ag. Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, led a delegation from NCS on a working visit to Benin.
The visit included meetings with various officials and stakeholders from both countries, including Ambassador Kayode Aluko, the Nigerian Ambassador to Benin, and Mr. Alain Hinkati, the Director General of the Customs Administration in Benin, as well as representatives from Customs partners Webb Fontaine and Benin Control. The delegation also visited Customs facilities at the port of Cotonou to understand the processes and operations there.
During the visit, concerns from both countries were discussed, including the request to fully re-open the border and address issues related to administrative charges. The use of technology to drive Customs operations was also acknowledged as a positive step taken by Benin Customs. The joint communique signed by the two delegations outlined several points of agreement to facilitate trade and cooperation between Nigeria and Benin. Some of the key points in the communique include:
1. Promoting the ECOWAS trade liberalization scheme and facilitating the movement of goods and community products.
2. Issuing Laisse passe for short stays in one country for means of transport registered in the other country.
3. Removing barriers and obstacles to legitimate trade and establishing Customs units as needed.
4. Ensuring strict compliance with transit rules.
5. Harmonizing the list of products prohibited by both countries.
6. Integrating Nigeria into the Interconnected System for the Management of Goods in Transit (SIGMAT).
7. Strengthening cooperation and intelligence sharing to fight cross-border crime.
8. Holding regular meetings to discuss matters of common interest.
9. Reactivating the joint committee for monitoring trade and transit relations.
10. Engaging the private sector in consultation frameworks for border customs units.
11. Promoting good relations with border populations, professionalism, and tax compliance.
12. Securing the international supply chain.
The delegation also had a private meeting with the President of Benin, Mr. Patrice TALON, expressing their desire to establish a new phase of close collaboration in various areas.
News Source: TRIBUNE
