The News DietThe News Diet
    What's Hot

    ANLCA Spokesman ‘Onyeme’ Vies For President Of Ex-Commandos Association

    September 29, 2023

    NIMASA Emerges Best Federal Agency On Digital Transformation

    September 28, 2023

    Endangered Species: Seme Customs Intercepts 62 African Parrots, 1 Hawk

    September 25, 2023

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest efficient and accurately analysed news from The News Diet.

    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Friday, September 29
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    The News DietThe News Diet
    • Home
    • News
    • Editorial
      • The Verdict
      • Interviews
      • Special Report
    • Maritime

      NIMASA Emerges Best Federal Agency On Digital Transformation

      September 28, 2023

      FG Shops For Bashir Jamoh’s Replacement As NIMASA DG

      September 25, 2023

      Women In Maritime Seek Legislation, Incentives To Curb Plastics Pollution

      September 21, 2023

      WIMA-Nigeria Tasks Blue Economy Ministry To Address Multiple Charges, EoDB

      September 21, 2023

      N180bn Customs Boats Rotting Away At Lagos Marina – MARAN laments

      September 18, 2023
    • Business
    • Politics

      LP, Obi Couldn’t Prove Tinubu’s Conviction In US – Tribunal

      September 6, 2023

      NNPP Suspends Kwankwaso Over Anti-Party Activities, Aniebonam Resigns

      August 29, 2023

      APC Vice Chairman Lukman Resigns Over Illegalities, Interference

      July 26, 2023

      Tinubu Suspends Buhari’s 11th Hour Tax Changes

      July 7, 2023

      FG Declares Monday ‘June 12’ Public Holiday

      June 8, 2023
    • Sports

      AIU Clears Amusan To Participate At World Championships

      August 18, 2023

      Chelsea Agree £23.2m Deal For French/Nigerian Teenage Midfielder ‘Ugochukwu’

      July 30, 2023

      Security Agencies To Commence Sports, CSR Projects At Zongo Community

      June 17, 2023

      Osimhen Leads Napoli To First Serie A Title In 33 Years

      May 5, 2023

      Iwobi Rescues Point For Toffees, Ends 7-month Goal Drought

      May 2, 2023
    • Photo Diet

      2023: ANLCA, APFFLON Presidents Ponder Headway For Freight Forwarding Sector

      January 13, 2023

      Sambo, Lai Mohammed Discuss National Issues At Transport Ministry Headquarters

      November 1, 2022

      Sambo Felicitates With NIMASA DG ‘Jamoh’ On OFR Honours

      October 12, 2022

      St Augustine’s Anglican Church Youths Visit Lagos Ports Complex

      September 15, 2022

      NCAC Presents Partnership-That-Works Award To Governor Sanwo-Olu

      July 14, 2022
    • Lifestyle

      Mohbad’s Death: Valuable Lessons For Young Nigerians

      September 23, 2023

      Marital Bliss: NIWA Celebrates As Engr. Ororo’s Daughter ‘Tare’ Weds ‘Anderson’

      July 4, 2023

      Ezeobi Wins Peak Performing Woman of the Year Award

      July 4, 2023

      OMIS Awards Labeled Africa’s Maritime Oscars

      September 26, 2022

      NATOP, NCAC Deepen Collobaration To Develop Tourism Sector

      September 23, 2022
    • Contact
    The News DietThe News Diet
    Home » Why Multiple Checkpoints Persist Along Seme Border Corridor – Comptroller Nnadi
    Interviews

    Why Multiple Checkpoints Persist Along Seme Border Corridor – Comptroller Nnadi

    Kenneth JukporBy Kenneth JukporFebruary 13, 2023Updated:February 13, 2023No Comments202 Views
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Tumblr Email
    Security Agencies To Commence Sports, CSR Projects At Zongo Community
    Customs Area Controller, Seme Border Command, Comptroller Dera Nnadi, mni.
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email
    • Our efforts and dilemma in reducing checkpoints

    Comptroller Dera Nnadi, mni, is the Area Controller of Seme Border Command, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS). In this exclusive interview with News Diet, Nnadi speaks on cross border trade at Seme border, highlighting some peculiar challenges confronting the border region, and efforts to streamline multiple checkpoints which discourages trade along the corridor.
    Excerpts:

    Multiple checkpoints on border routes don’t support cross-border trade facilitation. It’s currently a problem along the Seme border corridor as there are numerous agencies and also multiple Customs units. Could there be a one-stop shop for these inspections rather than multiple interceptions?

    Along this corridor, there are only two approved ECOWAS checkpoints and they are at Gbaji and Agbara. The rest of the checkpoints ought to be just patrol groups. However, you will observe that there are several checkpoints belonging to multiple agencies.

    Despite the fact that the corridor should be protected for security and with respect to anti-smuggling and cross-border crimes, the conduct of those at the checkpoints and patrol bases is what really matters. While trying to enforce anti-smuggling laws and suppress border crime along the corridor, we should learn when to differentiate between border protection and prevention of legitimate trade. This is one of the biggest challenges of border protection. Where does the enforcement of laws stop and where does trade facilitation start?

    One of the reasons we would take this balance very serious is that if we do more of one, the other will suffer and ultimately it would have a negative impact on the nation.

    If we create a loose environment for trade in the guise of facilitating trade, some people may want to take undue advantage of it to circumvent trade laws and policies on smuggling. Nevertheless, if we overtighten the enforcement processes, we would end up discouraging trade.

    One thing is sure, if we succeed in reducing traffic along the corridor and reducing the number of checkpoints, it will increase trade. This is because more traders will want to do their businesses here and the whole place will thrive; but in a situation where investors are scared of multiple checkpoints, the entire corridor suffers economically.

    Despite the ban on land border trade being lifted, the trade at Seme border hasn’t reached the volume recorded prior to the ban. What could be the challenges and how do we address them?

    The border was closed for over two years and people diverted either to the seaports or moved to entirely new businesses. Following the reopening of the borders, certain conditions were also given that must be met.

    It is possible that those who diverted to seaports are finding it difficult to come back because they have gotten used to where they have gone to or it could be that the conditions provided by the government for reopening the land border can’t be met by some people.

    Nevertheless, don’t forget that Seme border may have been opened but some outstations like Owode hasn’t been opened. Also, the trade policies of our neighbours aren’t favourable to us at all. If traders from these countries are coming to Nigeria on transit, they are charged duties. I have had a number of complaints from many traders and I think the Nigerian government should engage more with Benin Republic because we are neighbours and we can’t afford to ignore how their trade policies affect Nigerian businesses.

    In your maiden press briefing as Area Controller of Seme Border Command, you highlighted some level of trade carried out under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS), how about trade under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA)?

    AfCFTA provisions have been made and the preparations have been on for some years, but effectively no one can say that the regional trade agreement has kicked-off fully.

    It is still a work in progress in terms of infrastructure, logistics and human capacity development. However, the potentials for AfCFTA is exciting especially for border regions like Seme border. When it kicks-off, the regional market will be a very enormous one and the Nigerian GDP will also improve from enhanced trade among regional states.

    Nigeria manufactures so much and Made-in-Nigeria products are valued within the sub-region, so AfCFTA is desirable but it hasn’t kicked off yet.

    Having served as the Area Controller, Ogun 1 Command responsible for the Idiroko border area, cross border trade and its associated challenges wouldn’t seem new to you. How would you deal with the recurring challenges, for instance high degree of unemployment in the border communities is one of the factors encouraging smuggling as perhaps the last resort for some border residents?

    Border communities are very essential to coordinated border management. Security agencies serve and leave the border after some years, but the community remains there. One thing that I have already observed anytime we pay courtesy calls is that there are complaints of negligence by federal government. They usually lament that their youths aren’t being employed.

    Although resources for the federal government to carry out all the required developments is scarce, I would support the idea that more attention is paid to border communities in terms of infrastructure, employment of the youths, and others.

    In Nigeria, Customs is well recognized for supporting the nation’s revenue collection with over N4trillion generated in 2022. What’s the revenue target for Seme Border Command for this year?

    There is always a fiscal target for the Customs Service and it’s broken down to the respective Commands, but we haven’t been given 2023 target. We are expecting it within the next few weeks.

    Naira scarcity following its redesign and fuel scarcity have grossly affected businesses nationwide in recent weeks. How have these issues affected border trade, Customs officers and other activities at the border?

    Definitely the fuel scarcity puts pressure on officers to reinforce our zeal to suppress fuel smuggling. We have to ensure that no petroleum product is smuggled out as we witnessed in the recent press briefing. Over 39,000 liters of PMS was seized and displayed by the Command and this shows that amid the scarcity some persons are still attempting to move the products out of the country.

    As for the naira scarcity following the redesign, I’m yet to know the impact on the traders. The basic thing is that several stakeholders complain that they don’t have cash to transact petty business but for those who do big business, they import using their bank accounts or online transactions.
    For those that consume locally, there are complaints about the scarcity of naira, but that is beyond Customs because it is a government policy.

    African Continental Free Trade Agreement Comptroller Dera Nnadi mni Cross Border Trade Nigeria Customs Service Seme Border
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Telegram Email

    Related Posts

    Seme Customs Exceeds 2023 Revenue Target By N122m

    September 18, 2023

    N180bn Customs Boats Rotting Away At Lagos Marina – MARAN laments

    September 18, 2023

    Aniebonam @65: CAC Tin Can, Comptroller Nnadi Congratulates ‘The Conscience Of Maritime Industry’

    September 16, 2023

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    Latest Post
    News

    ANLCA Spokesman ‘Onyeme’ Vies For President Of Ex-Commandos Association

    September 29, 2023

    The National Publicity Secretary of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Mr. Emmanuel…

    NIMASA Emerges Best Federal Agency On Digital Transformation

    September 28, 2023

    Endangered Species: Seme Customs Intercepts 62 African Parrots, 1 Hawk

    September 25, 2023

    Emmanuel Onwuka Nominated For Future Awards Africa OAP Category

    September 25, 2023

    FG Shops For Bashir Jamoh’s Replacement As NIMASA DG

    September 25, 2023

    Mohbad’s Death: Valuable Lessons For Young Nigerians

    September 23, 2023

    Editorial Picks

    NIMASA Emerges Best Federal Agency On Digital Transformation

    September 28, 2023

    FG Shops For Bashir Jamoh’s Replacement As NIMASA DG

    September 25, 2023

    Mohbad’s Death: Valuable Lessons For Young Nigerians

    September 23, 2023

    Women In Maritime Seek Legislation, Incentives To Curb Plastics Pollution

    September 21, 2023

    Subscribe to News

    Get the latest efficient and accurately analysed news from The News Diet.

    Advertisement
    Demo
    Stay In Touch
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    Latest Post
    News

    ANLCA Spokesman ‘Onyeme’ Vies For President Of Ex-Commandos Association

    September 29, 2023

    The National Publicity Secretary of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Mr. Emmanuel…

    NIMASA Emerges Best Federal Agency On Digital Transformation

    September 28, 2023

    Endangered Species: Seme Customs Intercepts 62 African Parrots, 1 Hawk

    September 25, 2023

    Emmanuel Onwuka Nominated For Future Awards Africa OAP Category

    September 25, 2023

    FG Shops For Bashir Jamoh’s Replacement As NIMASA DG

    September 25, 2023

    Mohbad’s Death: Valuable Lessons For Young Nigerians

    September 23, 2023

    About Us:

    The News Diet is a credible newsblog managed by JUKKEN Consults Limited, a media organization and public relations consulting outfit.

    JUKKEN Consults is also focused on Brand Management, Media Buying, Print Production, etc. The outfit has an impressive track-record of executing media campaigns and projects for high profile clients across various sectors of Nigeria’s economy.

    We also operate a waste recycling/ eco-promotional company, Golden Debris.

    Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest YouTube
    Top Insights

    ANLCA Spokesman ‘Onyeme’ Vies For President Of Ex-Commandos Association

    September 29, 2023

    NIMASA Emerges Best Federal Agency On Digital Transformation

    September 28, 2023

    Endangered Species: Seme Customs Intercepts 62 African Parrots, 1 Hawk

    September 25, 2023

    Emmanuel Onwuka Nominated For Future Awards Africa OAP Category

    September 25, 2023
    Get Informed

    Subscribe to Updates

    Get the latest efficient and accurately analysed news from The News Diet.

    © 2023 All right reserved. The News Diet.
    • Home

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.