Nigeria Customs Decries Harassment, Double Taxation of Importers in Benin Republic
Seme-Krake Joint Border Post
—Adeniyi to Meet Top Customs Officials in Benin to Address Trade Concerns
By DAPO OLAWUNI
The Customs Area Controller, Seme Border Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Dr. Ben Oramalugo, has voiced significant concerns regarding the treatment of Nigerian importers and traders in the Benin Republic, specifically highlighting the issue of double taxation on goods in transit.
Dr. Oramalugo revealed that the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, is scheduled to meet with his Beninese counterpart on Monday to address these pressing matters.
Speaking to journalists during a press conference at the border post on Wednesday, he stated “Goods coming from Benin is supposed to be on transit. You don’t pay to keep it. But Benin Republic are imposing tax on Nigerians bringing goods there, and Nigeria is also imposing tax.
So, we are engaging them to stop this anomaly.
“On Monday, our Comptroller General their Comptroller-General, they are coming for the same purpose. So that an internet understanding and connectivity will be made between us and them. And also to ask them to remove those government taxation.”
Furthermore, Dr. Oramalugo addressed the issue of harassment faced by Nigerian traders on the Benin side of the border, emphasizing the need for respectful treatment.
“People have complained of harassment. Tremendous harassment on the Benin side, Nigerians should be treated with respect and dignity.”
He also noted the positive impact of increased collaboration among security agencies at the border, leading to a reduction in checkpoints on the Mile-2 -Seme axis.
According to him, before now, there was no forum where officers and government agencies can sit and talk about their problems at the borders.
He informed that the security meeting at the border is been re-energized, thereby leading to collaboration among government agencies and reduction in checkpoints.
“Most of them agreed that they will reduce their checkpoints, I am also happy now that the federal government has given an instruction that those checkpoints must be reduced.”
Dr. Oramalugo underscored the strategic importance of the Seme-Krake border for trade relations with French-speaking nations, stating that “This is a gateway to French-speaking countries. And if we get it right, if we tell our story right on this road, it will help us in building our image within the Committee of Nations.”
He also touched upon the issue of the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) and efforts to discourage the importation of goods from outside the West African zone under the guise of the scheme.
According to him, Nigerian traders and importers are abusing the ETLS purpose by importing cargoes from abroad and branding them as made in Africa, just in order to avoid paying duty.
“Where you suppose only foods that are produced within West African zone are supposed to come to ETLS. But our people are busy, they will stay in Abidjan or Cotonou and import from China and bring in the goods as a part of ETLS.
“We are trying to discourage them and we will engage with the members of our counterparts in Benin Republic to make sure they help us to change that.”
Dr. Oramalugo further mentioned his plans to engage with the Nigerian Ambassador in Benin Republic to foster better trade relations and address the concerns raised.
