ABUJA: The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has reiterated its desire to seek collaboration with its Republic of Benin counterpart.
The move, the service said, was to further strengthen bilateral trade tie and sustain existing cooperation between Nigeria and the Republic of Benin.
The Customs Area Controller (CAC), Seme Command, Comptroller Garba Mohammed Ndalati stated this at a recent meeting with his counterpart in Krake, Republic of Benin Republic.
Ndalati stated that in order to attain set goals and objectives, NCS has reached out to the Nigeria Ambassador to the Republic of Benin and the Customs Administration of the country.
While on a maiden visit to the Republic of Benin since assumption of office as the CAC, Seme, Ndalati acknowledged the existing international and inter agency tie between both countries and their customs administration as factors that influences the social, cultural and economic lives of citizens of both countries.
Speaking through an interpreter, Ndalati said the laudable examples set by Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) and Director General(DG) of Benin Customs at the World Customs Organisation (WCO) and regional levels are worthy of emulation.
According to him, with the increasing global security challenges, the need for both Customs administrations to work in synergy cannot be over emphasised.
He stated that the visit was intended to cement a mutual relationship that is ongoing, not minding the geographical demarcation but to align with the cultural and economic ties that bind them together.
“With adequate intelligence gathering and sharing we can work to foster trade within our sub region in pursuant of the Economic Community of West African Countries (ECOWAS) treaties and protocols. We should also insist on compliance by our various stakeholders on the rules of trade within the sub region. Our nationals are tapping into the benefits of the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) and the Joint Committee on Commerce (JCC).This must be encouraged with efforts to detect and prevent its abuses”, he said.
He welcomed Ndalati and asked him to feel free to reach out to them any time the need arises for operational issues and intelligence sharing.
Ndalati also visited the Nigerian Ambassador to Benin Republic, Lawrence Obisakin who spoke glowingly about the good relationship between Nigeria and Benin Republic and the need to sustain the momentum.
Obisakin commended the CGC for his transformation of the Nigeria Customs Service and sought the CAC’s co operation. He wished Ndalati success in his new assignment as CAC Seme Border.
Ndalati in his response said: “I must sincerely say that on behalf and on the part of the Nigeria Customs Service we are available to assist and help you to succeed in all your endeavours as the representatives of the nation. We are equally representatives in our own sector and very able representatives.
“I submit that you recognise the effort of my CGC and his untiring responses each time you have a request to make any input necessary to make progress on border management administration; that is the quality you have in him and that is the quality of the man that has transformed the service. I am here as his able ambassador and for me to also reach out to you”.
