In line with the Government’s commitment to enhancing trade and bolstering Nigeria’s global competitiveness, a delegation from the Nigeria Customs Service, led by the Acting Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR, undertook a productive working visit to the Republic of Benin on Monday, 24th July 2023.
During the visit, the Acting CGC and the delegation held a meeting at the Nigerian Embassy with Ambassador Kayode Aluko, the Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Benin. Subsequently, they were warmly received by Mr. Alain Hinkati, the Director General of the Benin Customs Administration, along with Customs partners Webb Fontaine and Benin Control.
The delegation also visited the Customs facilities at the port of Cotonou, where the Acting CGC was given insights into the port’s processes and operations. The visit provided an opportunity for the two countries’ customs authorities to engage with stakeholders and address their concerns effectively. One notable concern raised was the request to review the possibility of reopening the border, as well as addressing administrative charges.
The main objective of the visit, as stated by the Acting CGC, was to strengthen the cooperation between Nigeria and Benin’s customs administrations and explore areas of mutual interest. He commended the progress made by Benin Customs in reducing clearance time, preventing port congestion, and embracing technology-driven customs operations. The Acting CGC also expressed Nigeria Customs’ commitment to learn from these practices and improve their own processes to reduce the cost and time of doing business.
At the conclusion of the meeting, both delegations signed a joint communique outlining the following key points of agreement:
Continuation of efforts to promote the ECOWAS trade liberalization scheme and facilitate the movement of goods and community products, with a focus on harmonization.
Streamlining the issuance of Laisse passe for short stays in each other’s countries for means of transport registered in the respective countries.
Removing barriers and obstacles to legitimate trade, and establishing Customs units when necessary to facilitate traffic.
Strict compliance with transit rules.
Harmonization of the list of products prohibited by both countries.
Nigeria’s swift integration into the Interconnected System for the Management of Goods in Transit (SIGMAT), already involving the Customs Administrations of Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Niger, Senegal, and Togo.
Strengthening cooperation to combat cross-border crime, with a focus on intelligence sharing and resource pooling.
Holding biannual meetings to discuss matters of common interest.
Reactivating the joint committee for monitoring trade and transit relations.
Reviving consultation frameworks for border customs units, with active participation from the private sector.
Promoting good relations with border populations, professionalism, and tax compliance.
Ensuring the security of the international supply chain.
Additionally, on Sunday, 23rd July, the Acting CGC and his delegation held a private meeting with the President of the Republic of Benin, His Excellency Mr. Patrice TALON. During the meeting, they expressed their desire to initiate a new era of close collaboration between the two nations across all sectors.
The visit aimed to foster a stronger partnership, promote trade facilitation, and contribute to the overall economic growth and competitiveness of Nigeria and Benin in the global arena.
