[dropcap]N[/dropcap]igeria and Republic of Benin have strengthened their bilateral relationship with the formal opening of the new Economic Community of West African States Joint Border Post at Seme-Krake, Badagry, Lagos State.
The project which began in 2011 was financed by the European Union Commission under the Transport Facilitation Programme at an estimated cost of €18.2 million.
Speaking at the ceremony, President Muhammadu Buhari, who is also the Chairman, ECOWAS Heads of State, Authority and Government, thanked the EU for its commitment to the development of the sub-region.
Buhari noted that the EU had apart from funding the Seme-Krake border post, also provided funds for similar projects at Noepe-Akanu (Ghana/Togo) and Malanville JBP (Benin /Niger).
He said: “The Seme-Krake Joint Border Post is located on the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor, which represents about 70 percent of the sub-region’s total transit trade. “The Joint Border Post will serve as a significant population in the two beneficiary countries of Nigeria and Benin with an estimated population of over 200 million.”
Buhari said the Joint Border Post would facilitate seamless movements of persons, goods and services between both countries and improve regional integration which was one of the objectives of ECOWAS. He said: “It is a symbol of integration which brings together the people of Nigeria and Benin.” Also, the President of Benin, Patrice Talon, said both countries had a shared history and an inseparable future, stressing that it would create an easier life for citizens and other travelers.
Talon said: “Our police administrations will cooperate more easily to ensure our safety. Our customs administrations will be more efficient in their mission.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geofrey Onyema and the Comptroller General, Nigeria Immigration Service, Alhaji Muhammed Babandede were all present to grace and witness the occassion.
However, the Nigeria Customs Service operating at the border, headed by Comptroller Mohammed Uba Garba has been described by stakeholders and security experts who witnessed the visit as a man who knows his onion; a dogged and gallant Customs officer who does not compromise in carrying out his duty even in all commands he had worked.
President Buhari and Customs Area Controller, Seme Command, Comptroller Mohammed Uba Garba during the inauguration of Seme Krake Joint Border Post
Presidents Buhari and Talon’s visit to Seme Command is not only remarkable, but would go down the memory lane in Nigeria Customs most especially Seme command, as this is coming only few days after Seme Customs Command released outstanding record of over N1billion revenue raked into the coffers of the Federal Government between August and September, 2018 fiscal year.