Nigerian imports to be cleared in Cotonou, forced by congestion at home
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Nigerian importers will soon be able to clear their goods in the ports of Cotonou in neighbouring Benin Republic, Nigeria Customs Service (NIS) acting Comptroller General Adewale Adeniyi has announced.
He made the disclosure in Abuja at the end of a meeting with the Director General and senior officials of Benin Republic Customs Service.
Customs top brass from both countries signed various agreements at the meeting to boost bilateral trade relations and tackle smuggling.
“We are building confidence in the system offered by the Republic of Benin, our importers are using their ports and vice-versa. If there are people in Benin Republic who want to use our ports, we try to build trust in our systems,” Adewale said.
“And by virtue of this agreement, what it means is that Nigerian importers willing to use the ports in Cotonou can have their goods cleared in those ports because there would be an opportunity for them to pay duties on goods that are liable for payment of duties.
“We can account for the duties on those goods in the ports of arrival. So they will now be free to enter Nigeria.”
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Smuggling goes beyond vehicles
“[Smuggling] goes beyond vehicles. Any goods arriving in Cotonou ports, duty can be accessed and payment can be made and from there, they comes into Nigerian territory,” Adewale explained, per The PUNCH.
“It is just like what happens when goods come in through Lagos or Port Harcourt; it is pretty much the same. But we have not got there. We have agreed in principle that we can operationalise this.
“So the steps that we are going to take to get us to that particular destination is what we are going to be working on. It was mentioned in the communique that we are going to establish timelines when we hope to achieve that particular milestone.”
Adewale enthused the partnership will enhance customs administration, trade facilitation, and regional cooperation.
“The occasion we celebrate today marks a significant milestone in our journey to strengthen collaboration, eliminate barriers, and promote legitimate trade within the West African region.”