The Nigerian government has revealed its plans to start allowing importers to clear their goods through Cotonou Ports in the Benin Republic legally.
According to a communique issued at the end of the meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, the decision to establish a clearing station for Nigeria-bound products was one of the highlights of the two-day working visit of Mr Alain Kinkati, Director-General of Customs Service of Benin Republic.
Mr Adewale Adeniyi, Acting Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), indicated that the framework’s contents were being worked out.
He added that Nigeria-bound commodities would be assessed and applicable duties would be paid in the originating nation, with such levies credited to the Nigerian government via the Nigerian Customs Service.
Adeniyi highlighted the framework as a significant step forward in sub-regional integration and trade facilitation efforts with peers from the neighbouring Benin Republic.
He was quoted by Channels TV as saying: “substantially reduced barriers around trade corridors as the number of checkpoints have been significantly reduced, working with the police authorities, with a pledge to reduce them to the minimum possible.”
The Acting Customs Commissioner also stated that preparations to link its Information Technology (IT) system with those of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) were nearing completion in order to reduce vehicle smuggling into the country.
Similarly, the Customs chief stated that his administration is “harmonising the list of prohibited items with Benin Republic,” in order to enhance the organization’s security function.
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