The Federal Government of Nigeria and its Benin Republic counterparts have agreed to commence the free flow of Business across the borders in the interest of citizens and residents of the two Nations.
The agreement was reached on Tuesday during the bilateral talk on how best to strengthen the Business relations between the two Countries.
The meeting which was led by the Foreign Affairs Ministers of both Countries and other top Government officials, was at the instance of Nigeria President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and president Patrice Talon of Benin Republic.
It would be recalled that in August 2019, the former President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari ordered the closure of Nigeria’s land border with Benin blocking all import.
The former Nigeria President directive significantly distrupted the trade of food items as Millions of Nigerians heavily depended on imported food.
“All goods for now are banned from being exported or imported through our land borders, this is to ensure we have total control over what come into Nigeria” Col. Hammed Ali, the then Comptroller – General of the Nigeria Customs Service declared.
However, speaking in his opening remarks at Segbena border post, a border town between Nigeria and Republic of Benin, the Nigerian Foreign Affairs Minister, Alhaji Yusuf Tuggar said the Consultative forum was based on an order by President Tinubu and President Talon to strengthen social and economic interaction, as well as expand trade and commerce between the two countries.
” The meeting at the Segbena border post in Benin Republic is aimed at bringing the border crossing trade between Tsamiya in Nigeria and Auguwan Sule Wars in Benin Republic back to life through Infrastructural Development which is in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative of President Tinubu.
The Comptroller- General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi however said that the meeting was to advance the course of Regional intergeration of the two countries.
Responding, the Director- General of Benin Customs Service, Mrs Adidjatou Hassan, said that the meeting was aimed to create a perfect working condition with Nigeria.
” We have been on this project of bringing this particular border back to life and in the process strengthening the Business relations with our neighbors.
However the Executive Governor of Kebbi State, Nasir Idris who was present during the meeting appreciate the President of the two Countries for resuscitating the free flow of trade and transportation of goods to various destinations within the Countries.
Other officials at the meeting includes Minister of Economy and Finance, Foreign Affairs Minister and other top Government functionaries.
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