There are indications that the Federal Government, FG, may have decided to re-open Nigeria’s border with Benin Republic as Vanguard Maritime Report learnt that the Nigerian Customs Service, NCS, along with the Benin Republic counterpart are now putting finishing touch to avert the reason for the closure.
Meanwhile, officials of both customs authorities are working on modalities to facilitate only legitimate trade across the Seme and other border posts.
The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Custom Service, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, who has already paid visits to the border posts, said President Bola Tinubu is the only person who has the final say on reopening the nation’s borders adding that Customs has communicated the concerns and complaints of the border communities to President Tinubu
The Customs Area Comptroller of the Seme Border Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Mr. Timi Bomodi, told Vanguard Maritime Report that the Command is more anxious and ready than the traders.
Bomodi also said that the Command cannot wait to receive the signal from government.
He stated: “You are not more anxious than myself; we want the border opened as quickly as possible but it all depends on government. Whatever governments of both sides decide, we are ready to abide by their decision.”
Meanwhile, an official of the Benin Customs Service who spoke to Vanguard on the condition of anonymity said that the closure of the Seme border has greatly impacted on the economy of the country adding that the country will welcome the reopening of the border as soon as possible.
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The official said: “Three weeks ago, your Comptroller General was in Benin and had talks with his Beninoise counterpart on issues of border reopening.
“We cannot wait and more than ready to accommodate the expected trade traffic, we are ready to receive the traffic.
The closure really affected our economy because revenue collection is based on trade traffic and transit cargoes. The border closure has led lots of revenue loss to our economy, so the border reopening is good for us.” Speaking on readiness ahead of the border reopening, the National Vice President of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, ANLCA, Mr. Segun Oduntan, said that his members are eagerly waiting for government to reopen the border as they are all ready to continue with their businesses at the Seme border town.
