Trade facilitation: Customs clears checkpoints on Lagos-Abidjan corridor

To boost regional trade and commerce, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has collaborated with sister agencies to dismantle multiple checkpoints along the Lagos-Abidjan route.  The joint operation, aimed at streamlining the border corridor, is expected to reduce transit times, lower costs, and enhance the overall efficiency of trade facilitation.  Daily Trust reports that the organized […]

To boost regional trade and commerce, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has collaborated with sister agencies to dismantle multiple checkpoints along the Lagos-Abidjan route.

 The joint operation, aimed at streamlining the border corridor, is expected to reduce transit times, lower costs, and enhance the overall efficiency of trade facilitation.

 Daily Trust reports that the organized private sector from countries in the sub-region, had raised several complaints about the existence of multiple checkpoints, which they said were hindering the smooth movement of goods and services, particularly on the side of Nigeria.

 The NCS, in conjunction with other agencies, had assured stakeholders that the removal of these checkpoints will not compromise national security or revenue collection.

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Addressing stakeholders at the Seme/Kraken border on Monday, the Customs Area Controller, Seme Area Command, Wale Adenuga, disclosed that the move is to promote and facilitate regional trade.

 Adenuga disclosed that the session with stakeholders is aimed at reinforcing national security and promoting seamless legitimate trade along the Abidjan–Lagos corridor.

 Comptroller Adenuga while declaring the meeting open said the meeting was to make the Seme transit corridor effective and secure following the policy thrust of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi.

The stakeholders, including the Aholu of Kweme Kingdom, Oba Sejiro Olalekan James;

Onibereko of Ibereko, Oba Israel Adewale Okoya; Col. S.B.Yahaya, Defence Atrachee to Nigeria Embassy in Port Novo who represented the Nigerian Ambassador to Benin Republic; police, intelligence, military and paramilitary heads; members of the border communities and traders all agreed to work together.