Nigeria moves to re-open borders with Benin Republic, signs 12-point communique

<p>In line with the Federal Government’s drive to facilitate trade and improve Nigeria’s economy to become globally competitive, a delegation of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), led by the Ag. Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi has paid a working visit to the Republic of Benin and signed a 12-point communique which aims to fully re-open the border between both countries, a statement signed on Tuesday by National Spokesman of Customs, Abdullahi Maiwada revealed.</p>, <p>According to the Customs statement, “The Ag. CGC and his delegation visited the Nigerian Embassy on Monday, 24th of July and met with Ambassador Kayode Aluko, the Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Benin.</p>, <p>“Thereafter, they were received by the Director General of the Customs Administration in Benin, Mr. Alain Hinkati, Customs partners Webb Fontaine and Benin Control.</p>, <p>“They also visited Customs facilities at the port of Cotonou, where the Ag. CGC was taken through the processes and operations at the port.”</p>, <p>During the visit, the two chiefs engaged with stakeholders from both countries and their concerns were identified and effectively considered.</p>, <p>Notable among the concerns is the request to review the possibilities of reopening the border, as well as addressing the issue of administrative charges.</p>, <p>According to the Ag. CGC, “The visit is to deepen collaborations in mutually positive areas.</p>, <p>“The objective of the visit is for us to review friendship with the Customs administration of Benin and also to deepen collaborations in areas of common interest.”</p>, <p>“I saw the attention that was given to the port of Cotonou, the progress that is being made in reducing clearance time, ensuring that there is no congestion at the Port and, more importantly, using technology to drive operations of the Customs Administration”, he said.</p>, <p>“The attempt which Benin Customs has done towards trade facilitation is something that Nigeria Customs will also be doing particularly to look at wher