Nike
Nigeria and Benin Republic are strengthening their economic cooperation through a bilateral engagement aimed at enhancing trade at the Kebbi-Segbana border.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar (OON), described the talks which took place at the Segbana customs border post, as a historic milestone.
The Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy to the Minister, Alkasim Abdulkadir disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.
According to the statement, Ambassador Tuggar, leading a strong Nigerian delegation, highlighted the significance of the meeting in operationalizing the Kebbi-Segbana border.
He emphasized that this effort aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to promoting economic growth and prosperity as part of the government’s 8-point agenda.
The Nigerian delegation included Governor of Kebbi State, Dr. Nasir Idris Kaura; Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi; Director-General of the Border Communities Development Agency, Dr. Dakorinama Alabo George; and Alh. Aliyu Mohammed, Director of Home Finance, representing the Minister of Finance. Representing Benin were Minister of Economy and Finance, Mr. Romauld Wadgani; Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Shegun Adjadi Bakari; and Director General of Customs, Madam Adidjatou Hassan Zanouvi.
The bilateral meeting also agreed to set up a project implementation working group within a short, medium and long term framework through the resuscitation of the Nigeria-Benin Joint Commission which last held a meeting in 2014 in Cotonou.
“The two countries agreed that the establishment of the Permanent Joint Commission will complement governments’ subsisting efforts for robust economic bilateral relations.
“In line with the 4 Ds foreign policy goals, the Minister also used the occasion to call the attention of the government of Benin to the incessant border frictions by both countries, especially the ongoing efforts to repatriate 700 hundred Nigerians living in the Segbana, Northern Benin Republic. “The Minister stressed the need for the
maintenance of harmonious relationships in our common borders, by embracing mutually inclusive approaches to remove all irritants and work towards finding a peaceful and sustainable resolution to clashes between Nigerian and Beninese communities around the border areas.” The statement partly read.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings