Trade Facilitation: Nigeria, Benin Republic Partner on Bilateral Connectivity
. Ogun customs seizes 38 vehicles, others
In what is aimed at facilitating trade and checking all forms of malpractices, including smuggling, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and its counterpart from the Benin Republic have agreed to partner on bilateral connectivity.
Under this arrangement, both countries will share information electronically on imports passing from either country.
The Assistant Comptroller General of Customs, Information Communication Technology (ICT), Mr Benjamin Aber explained during the stakeholders sensitization exercise at Seme Border this will address issues of smuggling and revenue losses at border posts..
The connectivity platform which will be launched by President
Muhammadu Buhari June 20, according to Aber will help create a win-win scenario for the two countries, adding that a single platform will be used to handle trade transactions.
He explained, “It is not good for us in this modern time to be doing things manual when we have opportunity to leverage on technology that will assist us to streamline and harmonise processes that can seamlessly assist us in harvesting the opportunity of trade between these corridors.
“This is why we called the stakeholders that the Nigeria and Benin Customs have agreed to harmonise their business processes of temporary or transit import into Nigeria and export into Benin and to make sure that the process is done once. This means any truck that leaves Benin Republic, the information is already remotely sent in English to Nigeria Customs Service’s system.”
Highlighting the benefits of the bilateral connectivity, Aber said, “Henceforth, there will be single declaration to be used by both countries.
This will address as the new system will include the deployment of non-intrusive equipment such as scanners, which will help deal with the challenges of trans-border crimes including insurgencies.
“The electronic platform will integrate the two countries single windows trade platforms and also improve the compliance to trade regulatory and fiscal policy measures of both countries.
“This platform will create effective, predictable and transparent risk management system and reduction in smuggling activities.”
The Director General of Benin Customs, Sacca Charles, disclosed that the effort was started 15 years ago when leaders of the two countries initiated the exercise.
Charles said it will be an example for other customs administrations to copy.
Meanwhile, the Ogun State Command of the Customs has impouned 38 vehicles and other trade goods being smuggled into the country.
Among other items seized by the Customs according to the Area Controller, Mr Michael Agbara include 7,030 bags of rice, 372 kegs of vegetable oil, 411 kegs of premium motor spirit; 3 units of motorcycles; 1,835 pairs of new and 264 pairs of used foot wears.
Most of the seizures were made at Idiroko Border area.
Agbara also said the Command realized the sum of N1.131 billion revenue for the month of May.
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