The Badagry Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (BACCIMA) has lauded the Comptroller General, Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, and other security agencies for reducing checkpoints to two between Lagos and Seme -Benin Republic border.

Yahaya Idris, president, BACCIMA, gave the commendation in a statement issued on Sunday in Badagry.

Mr Idris said that now that the checkpoints have been reduced to two – at Gbaji and Agbara -, it would promote seamless trade facilitation, reducing extortion, and enhancing the efficiency of cross-border commerce along the Lagos–Abidjan trade corridor.

“BACCIMA, as the voice of businesses along the corridor and a staunch advocate for the reduction of multiple check points along the axis, commend this bold move.

“This will also serve as a significant boost to the business community, particularly cross-border traders and logistics operators who have long faced challenges due to multiple checkpoints, delays, and harassment along the route.

“We also thank the new Customs Area Controller of the Seme Command, Comptroller Wale Adenuga for his proactive leadership, renewed sense of discipline among officers, and close collaboration with stakeholders,” he said.

Mr Idris, who is also the national vice president (NACCIMA) on international development, noted that it would align perfectly with the objectives of ECOWAS and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

“It will foster trust among traders, strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness, and encourage legitimate trade activities across our borders.” he said.

The BACCIMA president commended the customs’ boss for being in the forefront of preaching against multiple check points by security agencies on the Lagos -Abidjan Corridor trade route.

“In the Obas palaces and meetings with the stakeholders, his position has been trade facilitation without any hindrance from any quarter.

“We reaffirm our readiness to continue partnering with the Nigeria Customs Service, other border security agencies, to promote capacity building, transparency, and Cross-Border traders to promote economic growth along the Lagos–Abidjan trade corridor,” he said

The federal government, on October 14, approved only two checkpoints on Lagos-Seme border expressway.

This move is aimed at reducing the number of checkpoints, curbing extortion, and ensuring smoother movement of goods and people without compromising national security.

Mr Adenuga, Comptroller, Customs Area Command, Seme border, had explained that the approved checkpoints were located at Gbaji, Badagry-Seme expressway and Agbara in Ojoo Local Government Area of Lagos State.

 (NAN)