Joint border post has economic benefits for Nigeria, W/African sub-region- Comptroller Uba …Says investment in export will enhance forex inflow to Nigeria

Joint border post has economic benefits for Nigeria, W/African sub-region- Comptroller Uba

.Says investment in export will enhance forex inflow to Nigeria

By Udeme Clement

The Customs Area Controller, CAC, Seme Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Comptroller Mohammed Uba has said that the concept of Joint border Post, JBP, between Nigeria and Benin Republic has economic benefits for both countries in trade facilitation and integration.

Comptroller Uba also explained that aside from Nigeria and Benin Republic JBP, which enhances information sharing between both countries on Customs processes, the West African sub-region has other economic benefits in areas of trade harmonisation and ECOWAS common trade policies for maximum economic productivity.

According to him, the JBP at Seme and other places within the sub-region, aims at enhancing free movement of persons and  goods in the region.

Comptroller Uba pointed out, “For instance, Seme-Krake, is one of the busiest boundary lines within the sub-region where we experience large movement of persons, goods and services. Therefore, the joint border concept paves the way for information sharing among Customs and other security officials of both countries. This helps in trade facilitation and anti-smuggling drive as well.”

On more economic benefits of the JBP occupying about 17 hectares of land, Comptroller said it would allow measures for border clearance activities in single location, greater cooperation and one control. “So, the JBP concept allows for one entry, exit and control at all times. It fosters data and intelligence sharing between the two countries”, he emphasized.

Financial Business observed that the JBP is strategically important, covering Lagos-Cotonou-Lome-Accra-Abidjan corridor, which accounts for about 70 per cent of the entire transit traffic within the sub-region. Also, this corridor is part of the Trans-African Highway network.

In the same vein, Comptroller Uba called for more investments in export sub-sector in Nigeria.

This, he said would increase foreign exchange inflow to Nigeria’s economy.

He informed, “Export is a good sector to invest in. For example, export is free and the Federal Government also gives incentives to encourage exporters, in order for their businesses to thrive. So, this is a very important area Nigerians should look at, instead of engaging in smuggling, which destroys the economy.”

Segment-2 Report:

This is the segment-2 report on Seme Joint Border Post.