In his quest to enhance free flow of legitimate trade in Ogun I Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Godwin A. Otunla, recently had a high-level engagement session with stakeholders operating in the area command. The focus of the discussion focussed on enhancing trade facilitation along Idiroko-Igolo border corridor.
Held at the command’s conference room, the engagement session brought together key players in cross-border trade, including representatives from the Benin Republic Customs Authority, trade associations, business leaders, clearing agents from both Nigeria and Benin Republic, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Customs liaison officers and a host of others.
According to a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the command, DSC Chado Zakaria, anipr, the dialogue was centered on improving customs cooperation and streamlining business processes to foster the smooth flow of legitimate trade across the corridor.
Addressing the gathering, Comptroller Otunla pointed out the significance of Nigeria-Benin economic ties and stated that the economic relationship between Nigeria and Benin Republic is not only vital to their bilateral engagements, but also to the broader West African sub-region.
“We share a long history of trade and economic cooperation which must continue to thrive in a secure and orderly environment”, the controller stressed
He acknowledged the existing challenges that hinder trade, which included border inefficiencies, regulatory bottlenecks, and security concerns issues, which he said must be addressed to restore the vibrant commercial activity witnessed before the border closure.
Comptroller Otunla noted that the objective of the meeting was to foster candid dialogue, identify obstacles, and co-create practical, implementable solutions that would promote lawful trade across the Igolo–Idiroko corridor.
At the interactive session, stakeholders pointed out several impediments affecting business activities at the border, which included multiple checkpoints, poor road infrastructure, inadequate space for handling large volumes of containers, tariff and non-tariff barriers, absence of effective dispute resolution mechanisms and persistent security challenges.
In line with the discussions during the meeting, participants inspected a one-hectare site provided by the command, which is capable of accommodating over 30 containers, as an infrastructural development geared towards easing cargo flow.
During the meeting, the stakeholders expressed optimism and agreed with the measures and assurances provided by the Command, that Idiroko would soon experience a resurgence in legitimate cross-border trade.
In his closing remarks, Comptroller Otunla, reiterated his commitment to immediate action in line with the policy thrust of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, which emphasizes cooperation and collaboration.
However, he pledged to utilize all powers within his office to implement the resolutions reached during this engagement.