Tobias Sylvester
President Bola Tinubu-led government has reportedly lifted the ban on the importation of vehicles through land borders.
KanyiDaily recalls that the previous President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration had closed the land borders between Nigeria and Cotonou, Benin Republic, and subsequently prohibited the importation of vehicles through that route.
However, Ibrahim Musa, the Director of Road Transport in the Ministry of Transportation, announced that the federal government has approved the reopening of the Seme border for vehicle imports.
According to Daily Trust, Musa made this disclosure during an Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) meeting between officials from Nigeria and Benin.
The decision to lift the ban was prompted by complaints from freight forwarders who operate at the border, and the development is expected to have a positive impact on economic activities in the region.
During a visit by the ECOWAS Monitoring Team to the Seme-Krake Joint Border Post, Musa said, “I was here with the former minister of state for transportation when the freight forwarders pleaded that the border should be reactivated for the free movement of goods and services.
“The former minister made us prepare a memo to that effect. It was considered and sent to the government.”
The Customs Area Controller of Seme Border Command, Dera Nnadi, also commented on the development, noting that the revenue of the service had decreased since the ban on vehicle imports through land borders was implemented.
KanyiDaily recalls that the President Bola Tinubu-led Government had also introduced a new fee of N1,000 to be paid annually by all motorists for the verification of their Proof of Ownership Certificate (POC).
