Key Into The New Connectivity Platform – Customs CG Advises Stakeholders

LUCKY LAWAL

 The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Colonel Hameed Ali (Rtd.) on Thursday 20th June, 2019, at the inauguration of the connectivity platform at Seme Border has advice stakeholders to key into the programme to improve trade between Nigeria and Benin Republic.

The bilateral connectivity platform which was initiated by the European Union to improve trade at the Seme border and bring about the ease of importation and promote trade facilitation within the West Africa sub region is a single declaration used by Customs administration of both Countries in a transparent platform.

The CG advises stakeholders to take advantage of it. He also said the importation of vehicles through land borders still remain banned but stakeholders should endeavour to embrace the connectivity platform in order to enable the two countries achieve seamless operations and trade facilitation.

According to him, Customs is not opening land border for importation of used vehicles but is interested in the success of the connectivity platform to facilitate border trade between Nigeria and Benin Republic. The CG also said the platform is totally against false declaration of goods and other illegal activities. But it would increase the volume of trade and revenue between the two Countries.

“At the initial stage, I do expect some challenges before our traders get used to the system; there is always an apprehension when it comes to ICT (Information and Communication Technology) people are not very comfortable.”

“We have some series of sensitisation, we will continue to tell them the benefits of these technologies and what they stand to gain.

“It is our hope that in no time, all of them will key in into the platform,” Ali said.

Also speaking at the event, the Director General of Customs, Republic of Benin, Mr. Charles Sacca, appreciated the selfless effort of the NCS to see to the success of the connectivity platform.

According to him, “Since 15 years ago, both countries have been working toward this achievement, we thanks God for making it successful. We have been able to put in place monitoring teams.

“The connectivity will be a milestone for both countries with the help of the World Customs Organisation.

“Also, our administration will be able to integrate other agencies into the platform.

“Before now, it was difficult for other countries to locate Benin because it is a small country but with the collaboration, Nigeria being the giant of Africa, we are going to be popular as a result of border trade.

A successful demonstration of transaction between Benin Customs and Nigeria Customs in based in Abuja checked the documents of a consignment coming from Benin without visiting the Seme border