Nigeria and Republic of
Benin on Tuesday strengthened their bi-lateral relationship with the formal
opening of the new Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Joint
Border Post at Seme-Krake, Badagry, Lagos State.
Benin on Tuesday strengthened their bi-lateral relationship with the formal
opening of the new Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Joint
Border Post at Seme-Krake, Badagry, Lagos State.
The News
Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 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.
Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 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.
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).
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).
“The Seme-Krake
Joint Border Post is located on the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor, which represents
about 70 per cent of the sub-region’s total transit trade.
Joint Border Post is located on the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor, which represents
about 70 per cent of the sub-region’s total transit trade.
“The JBP will
serve a significant population in the two beneficiary countries of Nigeria and
Benin with an estimated population of over 200 million,” he said.
serve a significant population in the two beneficiary countries of Nigeria and
Benin with an estimated population of over 200 million,” he said.
Buhari said
the JBP would facilitate seamless movements of persons, goods and services
between both countries and improve regional integration which was one of the
objectives of ECOWAS.
the JBP would facilitate seamless movements of persons, goods and services
between both countries and improve regional integration which was one of the
objectives of ECOWAS.
“It is a
symbol of integration which brings together the people of Nigeria and Benin,”
the president added.
symbol of integration which brings together the people of Nigeria and Benin,”
the president added.
Also, the
President of Benin, Mr 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.
President of Benin, Mr 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.
“Our police administrations will cooperate more easily to ensure our safety.
Our customs administrations will be more efficient in their mission.
“In short,
bringing our border administrations together in one space and connecting them
to each other will help improve the performance of our respective
administrations and the comfort of the movement of people and their goods.”
bringing our border administrations together in one space and connecting them
to each other will help improve the performance of our respective
administrations and the comfort of the movement of people and their goods.”
Mr Ketil
Karlsen, Head, EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, said the project was a
reflection of the priority that the EU was giving to the African continent,
noting that free movement of people and goods would create new opportunities
and jobs for the people.
Karlsen, Head, EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, said the project was a
reflection of the priority that the EU was giving to the African continent,
noting that free movement of people and goods would create new opportunities
and jobs for the people.
Karlsen said:
“What is good for ECOWAS, what is good for Nigeria, what is good for Benin, is
also good for the EU.”
“What is good for ECOWAS, what is good for Nigeria, what is good for Benin, is
also good for the EU.”
NAN reports
that Buhari arrived at the event at 11.25am in a Nigeria Air Force Helicopter
with registration number NAF 541.
that Buhari arrived at the event at 11.25am in a Nigeria Air Force Helicopter
with registration number NAF 541.
The president
was received amidst chants of “Sai Baba”, “Sai Baba” by the Minister of Foreign
Affairs, Mr Geofrey Onyema and the Comptroller General, Nigeria Immigration
Service, Alhaji Muhammed Babandede.
was received amidst chants of “Sai Baba”, “Sai Baba” by the Minister of Foreign
Affairs, Mr Geofrey Onyema and the Comptroller General, Nigeria Immigration
Service, Alhaji Muhammed Babandede.
Also on ground to receive him were the Comptroller General, Nigeria
Customs Service, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd.) and the Nigeria Ambassador to Benin
Republic, Amb. Kayode Oguntuase.
Customs Service, Col. Hameed Ali (rtd.) and the Nigeria Ambassador to Benin
Republic, Amb. Kayode Oguntuase.
