Skip to main content

NCS Partners Benin Republic Customs To End Trans-Border Crimes, Enhance Trade Facilitation

By Anne Ejuka


 The Nigeria Customs Service NCS, has expressed willingness to synergize with the Benin Republic customs enhance trans-border security and regulate trade between the two countries.



the  Acting Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, made this known on Tuesday, 12th September 2023, when he officially received Senior Officers of Benin Customs, led by the Director-General, Alain Hinkati, at the Nigeria Customs Headquarters Abuja, in continuation of their two-day interactive session.


The session, which started on Monday, 11th September 2023, at the Abuja Intercontinental Hotel, is expected to deepen the relationship between Nigeria and Benin while promoting their age-long bilateral trade ties.



 Other areas that the partnership will address include enhancing the proper use of International Transit Guidelines to govern transit-bound goods and fees from Cotonou Port to Nigeria; Integration of Nigeria into the Interconnected System for the Management of Goods in Transit 


According to a statement made available by Abdullahi Maiwada the Customs boss in  his welcome address, highlighted that the treaty between the two Agencies will prepare the way for an in-depth mechanism to harmonize the import prohibition lists of products banned by the two countries.


“In view of our commitment to curb smuggling and unlawful trade through our borders, we deemed it necessary to meet and form a strong agreement that will support our strategic plans to implement technological-base measures of clearing and tracking of items at our borders”.


He however, affirmed that, the Nigeria Customs Service has concluded plans to promote good relations with border communities with a view to actualizing full participation of private sectors and frameworks of border Customs Units.


Speaking further, the Ag. CGC appreciated the Benin Customs and Embassy of the country for expressing interest in collaborating with the Nigeria Customs Service to enhance trade facilitation.


“The Customs administration in both countries have a very good idea and technical know-how on what it means with trade; thus, we are back with a renewed enthusiasm to foster our relationship and make an impact on our trade facilitation roadmap.


“We hope that the program will address the issues of trade and set a roadmap for the implementation of new strategies that will enhance the economy and revenue in Nigeria and Benin Republic”.


On his part, the Director General of the Benin Republic Customs, Alain Hinkati, expressed hope that the program will address the issues of trade and set a roadmap for implementation of new strategies that will enhance the economy and revenue of both Nigeria and Benin Republic, saying the two organizations need to develop ideas to address transit issues and other progressive measures.


He said with the increasing global security challenges, the need for both customs administrations to work in synergy cannot be over-emphasized, adding that their intended mutualism will boost their relationship to improve the economy of both nations.


Meanwhile, the joined communique signed by the Ag. Comptroller-General of the  Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, and Director-General of the Bennese Customs, Alain Hinkati, highlighted that their meeting favours the desire of the two country ‘s presidents: Bola Ahmad Tinubu and Patrice Talon to strengthen shared commitment to enhance trade facilitation and promote economic development.


Other areas that will benefit the countries are fostering closer ties to Nigeria and Benin and reactivating the joint committee for monitoring trade and transit relations.


Responding to questions from journalists at the event, CGC said, “We are building confidence in the system offered by the Republic of Benin; our importers will use their ports and vice-versa. If there are people in the Benin Republic who want to use our ports, we try to build trust in our systems.


“And by virtue of this agreement, it means  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”.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

KNIGHTS OF ST. JOHN (KSJI) TAKES A SWIPE AT BAD LEADERSHIPS IN NIGERIA

By Anne Ejuka
  Maj. Gen. (Prof) Remy Uche,  KSJI Supreme Subordinate President, Nigeria. As Christians all over the world marked  the feast of the Passion of St. John the Baptist on August 29 commemoration of his beheading by King Herod for speaking up to the truth, the Knights of St. John International (KSJI) of the Roman Catholic Church has taken a swipe against which it described as obnoxious and draconian leaderships in many spheres of life in Nigeria. The Knights of St. John International (KSJI), a sodality organisation of men and women looked up to in the Roman Catholic Church as people of integrity, is not happy with the current situation in the country where leaders in some places are not serving expectedly. According to a press statement made by the KSJI leader in Nigeria (Supreme Subordinate President), Maj Gen. Remy Uche (Prof), and signed on his behalf, by his Chief of Staff, Sir Abuchi Anueyiagu, to mark the feast of the Passion of St. John the Baptist, the patron saint...
Post a Comment
Read more

Eze Uchendu Applauds Compt. Olomu's Outstanding Performance In Apapa

By Anne Ejuka
  ...Berates APMT For Lack  of Capacity & Technicality ...Calls FG to Set Up Committee To Access APMT Operations In Nigeria The remarkable performance of the Customs Area Controller of the Apapa Customs command, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu fsi has been commended by a renowned freight forwarder, the Chairman of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarder( NAGAFF), Apapa Chapter, Fowdr. Prince Eze Uchendu. Accessing the Apapa Command under the control of Compt. Olomu,  the  chairman applauded the resilience and doggedness of the area controller in all areas of operation, in his words, "I think for now we have a good controller, the person of controller, Babatunde Olomu, since his inception as the CAC Apapa, I can say Apapa Command has never had it so good, so I can score the Nigeria customs high In all fields of endeavour, the controller has been a moving controller,  he's not a controller that stays in office. He comes to the terminals ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Kabiesi Akintola Becomes A First Class King And Permanent Member of Osun State Council of Kings

By Anne Ejuka
A Retired Senior Customs  Officer, Deputy Comptroller Akintola Imran Ayodeji (Rtd)  has become a First Class King and permanent member of the esteemed Osun State Council of Kings. He  signed  his letter of appointment on the 19th day of August 2024, at a momentous occasion which  marked a significant milestone in his journey as a traditional leader and a proud son of Osun State. His Royal Majesty Oba Akintola Imran Ayodeji, The Alua Of Erin Oke Kingdom Ijesa, after signing his  letter of appointment saod felt a deep sense of responsibility and commitment to serve his people and uphold the rich cultural heritage of the great state of the Living Spring. This appointment is not just a recognition of his own achievements, but also a testament to the trust and confidence placed on him by the people and the Council of Kings. As a First Class King,the Kabiesi has pledged to work tirelessly to promote the welfare and development of his ...
Post a Comment
Read more