The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and its counterpart in Benin Republic have taken significant strides towards more efficient and effective customs practices.
This collaborative effort aims to eliminate barriers, promote legitimate trade, and bolster regional cooperation between the two West African nations.
Mr. Alain Kinkati, the Director-General of Benin Republic Customs Service, disclosed this during a two-day working visit held between Monday and Tuesday.
Under this newly-forged partnership, Nigerian importers seeking to utilize Cotonou Ports in Benin Republic for their goods can now do so legally. This development allows for the streamlined clearance of vehicles and other items at Cotonou ports, ensuring a hassle-free entry into Nigeria.
Acting Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, emphasized that this collaboration creates a dedicated office in Benin for Nigerian importers to clear their goods and fulfill relevant duties, contributing to the Nigerian government’s revenue through the NCS.
Also, the NCS is actively engaged in integrating its information technology systems with the Federal Road Safety Corps to enhance its ability to monitor and regulate cross-border vehicle movements more effectively, thus curbing illegal entries.
Director-General Alain Kinkati highlighted the significance of this cooperation in promoting trade facilitation between Nigeria and Benin Republic, with a particular focus on combatting smuggling.
He stressed that both nations are actively involved in cooperative efforts, intelligence sharing, and resource pooling with other regional partners to ensure the security and safety of shared borders. Mr. Kinkati also appealed to Nigerian authorities to consider reopening the border with Benin Republic.
Acknowledging the impact of Nigeria’s border closure on trade facilitation between the two countries, the customs CG, Adewale, assured that the Nigeria Customs Service is diligently working to engage with border communities.
He revealed plans to prioritize border communities in the organization’s Corporate Social Responsibility Strategy while simultaneously promoting professionalism and tax compliance among customs officers.
This collaborative effort between the Nigeria Customs Service and Benin Republic Customs marks a significant step towards enhancing trade relations, fostering regional integration, and stimulating economic growth within the West African region.
The commitment to improving customs practices and ensuring the free flow of legitimate trade signals a positive outlook for both nations and the broader regional community.