The Chairman, Seme Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Alhaji Bisiriyu Fanu, has commended the establishment of a bilateral connectivity platform by Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and Benin Republic Customs for increased cross-border trade.
Fanu gave the commendation in an interview in Lagos.
According to him, both countries should work toward effective network coverage at the border stations to enable them achieve the expected result of increasing cross-border trade.
“The establishment of a connectivity platform is a good development provided it will not disappoint the users as a result of network failure.
“Is a good platform because whatever they are doing right in Cotonou, they are already seeing it here and that will enable the Federal Government to raise the accurate duty on border trade.
“If this platform eventually works successfully, it will eradicate corruption to the barest minimum if not totally eradicated,’’ Fanu said.
He said that operators had been relieved since February when the Benin Republic decided to be handing over Nigerian border trade trucks to the Nigeria Customs.
Fanu raised concern over the bad road from Lagos to Seme, saying that the road was really hindering border trade as a result of trucks falling on the roads and damaging consignments.
He said that the potholes were so enormous on the road, saying that this was beyond palliative measures.
Fanu, however, urged the Federal Government to give the Lagos State Government all the necessary support to hasten the repair of the Lagos Badagry road.
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