By Ali Kano
The Nigeria Customs Service and it’s counterparts from the Republic of Benin have commissioned the Kano Trade Office of Tsamiya Dry Port.
The office is to serve as a contract point for goods coming from the Republic of Benin to especially Northern Nigeria and help to reduce the time of transactions.
The Segbana/ Tsamiya Border operations in Kebbi state will help reduce distance of imports by 600 kilometers from Cotonou to Kano.
Among the objectives is to promote and leverage trade agreements that allow for Kano goods to be cleared in Cotonou, thereby enhancing cross border trade.
Kano as the commercial hup of Northern Nigeria, the clearance office will help to implement ICT solutions for proper documentation and tracking of goods for ease of operation.
The Comptroller General Nigeria Custom Service Bashir Adewale Adeniyi while opening the Kano clearance office described it as a crucial step towards the re-opening of the Segbana-Tsamiya border in Kebbi State.
Represented by the Northwest Coordinator Assistant Comptroller General Sambo Danladima, Adeniyi said, the opening of the Kano trade office was part of a broader strategy to enhance trade facilitation and also a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to boost regional trade as well as economic integration between Nigeria and Benin Republic.
“Sometimes in May 2024, a high level delegation from the Federal Government of Nigeria engaged in an inter-ministerial meeting with its counterparts from Benin republic to discuss issues of importance regarding the opening of the Segbana-Tsamiya border in Kebbi with the aimed to fast track the operationalization of the border post focussing on logistics, security measures, economic impact among other issues.”
The Customs boss explained that, “the establishment of this trade office in Kano, a major commercial hub underscores the importance of Kano as a key centre of commerce and highlights importance of streamlining business processes in the region, including the establishment of an export terminal to support local industries as well as aligning with the Federal Government’s broader goals of addressing food security and strengthening economic ties within Nigeria and across its borders.”
He expressed the commitment of the Nigeria Customs in implementing and enforcing the policies and directives of the Federal Government of Nigeria to achieve economic growth and development in line with the renewed hope agenda of President Tinubu.
The Director of cooperations of Customs Republic of Benin Colonel Imorou Idrissou identified the Border-Point of Segbana/ Tsamiya as a strategic point not only business to business but also economic prosperity between Benin and Nigeria.
He assured that, the two Authorities will work hard to facilitate ease of doing business between the two countries.
The Representative of Association of Custom license Agent Hafiz Rilwan assured of support to facilitate business.
Some members of the business community who spoke expressed happiness with the development as it will ease doing business