Foreign Affairs Ministers of Nigeria and Benin Republic, on Tuesday, held a bilateral discussion on improving free flow of trade and commerce between the two nations.
The meeting, which is a close door, was held at Anguwar Sule Wara, a border town in Benin Republic.
Briefing newsmen shortly after the meeting, the Nigeri’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, said the consultative forum was based on order by President Bola Tinubu and President, Patrice Talon, of Benin Republic.
“The meeting at the Segbana border post in Benin Republic is aimed at bringing the border crossing between Tsamiya in Nigeria and Anguwar Sule Wata in Benin Republic back to life through infrastructural development in line with renewed hope initiative of President Tinubu.
“The meeting is also to strengthen social and economic interaction as well as expand trade and commerce between the citizens of the two nations,” he said.
Tugger said that further progress had been made on strengthening relations between the two sister West African nations.
On his part, the Comptroller- General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale-Adeniyi, said that the meeting was to advance the course of regional integration between the two countries already created by the two presidents.
“For the past six months, the Nigeria customs service has been working together with the Customs Service of Benin Republic towards bringing the economies of both nations closer through easy border crossing and bringing back to life the border post at Tsamiya and Anguwar Sule Wara.
“One of our challenges is infrastructure which we have embarked on improvement of facilities at the border for easy access of entry between the citizens of the nations,” he said.
ALSO READ: Reps receive 2024 NDDC budget proposal from president Tinubu
Also speaking, Gov. Nasir Idris of Kebbi, thanked the presidents of the two countries for resuscitating free flow of trade and transportation of goods to various destinations within the two countries.
“Kebbi state has maintained good neighborliness with the Republic of Benin, beneficial to border communities and other residents on economic activities and social interaction,” he said.
Other officials at the meeting included; Mr Romuald Wadagni, Senior Minister, Benin Ministry of Economy and Finance and Cooperation; Mr Olushegun Adjadi-Bakaru, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Benin Republic and Mrs Adidjatou Hassan, General Director of the Benin Customs Service, among others.
NAN
