By John Ikani
The Federal Government of Nigeria has granted approval for the reopening of the Seme land border specifically for vehicle imports.
The announcement was made by Ibrahim Musa, the Director of Road Transport at the Ministry of Transportation, during a meeting organized between Nigerian and Benin Republic officials under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Musa explained that the decision to reopen the border was a response to the pleas from freight forwarders who operate at the Seme border.
Previously, the freight forwarders had requested the reactivation of the border to facilitate the free movement of goods and services.
The former Minister of State for Transportation acknowledged their appeal and initiated the preparation of a memo that was subsequently submitted to the government.
Also speaking at the meeting, Dera Nnadi, the Customs Area Controller of Seme Border Command, expressed concerns regarding the decline in revenue since the suspension of vehicle imports through land borders by the previous administration.
Nnadi stated that the former Minister of Transportation had assured stakeholders that their requests, including the full reopening of the border, would be presented to the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
The Ministry confirmed that the memo had been prepared, adopted by FEC, and would be handed over to the new government.
