Seme border to Cotonou
Cotonou border to reopen for Nigerian importers – FG
Federal Government has announced plans for resumption of business activities on the Cotonou border trade route for Nigerian importers.
The route was closed by the past Muhammadu Buhari administration over allegations of arms and ammunition smuggling, frivolous importations by Nigerian importers, while also boosting local production of items.
Despite pleas by member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the restriction was never lifted, despite the land border reopening.
Acting Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adeniyi, disclosed the reopening of importations via the Cotonou route this while speaking to journalists after a two-day working visit of Alain Hinkati, Director-General of Customs, Republic of Benin, to Nigeria.
Customs personnel from both countries entered into various agreements during the two-day meeting in order to boost trade relations between Nigeria and Benin Republic, as well as curb smuggling.
Fielding questions by journalists, Adewale said: “We are building confidence in the system offered by the Republic of Benin, our importers are using their ports and vice-versa. If there are people in Benin Republic who want to use our ports, we try to build trust in our systems.
“And by virtue of this agreement, what it means is that Nigerian importers willing to use the ports in Cotonou can have their goods cleared in those ports because there would be an opportunity for them to pay duties on goods that are liable for payment of duties.
“We can account for the duties on those goods in the ports of arrival. So they will now be free to enter Nigeria.”
Reacting to concerns about vehicle smuggling, he said the matter does not stop at only vehicles importations.
“It goes beyond vehicles. Any goods arriving in Cotonou ports, duty can be accessed and payment can be made and from there, it comes into the Nigerian territory.
“It is just like what happens when goods come in through Lagos or Port Harcourt; it is pretty much the same. But we have not got there. We have agreed in principle that we can operationalise this.
“So the steps that we are going to take to get us to that particular destination is what we are going to be working on. It was mentioned in the communiqué that we are going to establish timelines when we hope to achieve that particular milestone.”
Adewale said the partnership between both nations would enhance customs administration, trade facilitation and regional cooperation.
“The occasion we celebrate today marks a significant milestone in our journey to strengthen collaboration, eliminate barriers, and promote legitimate trade within the West African region.
