The Tsamiya Dry Port in Kebbi State has opened a clearing office in Kano to improve business activities for businessmen in northern Nigeria.
At the opening ceremony of the trade office in Kano on Wednesday, the Commissioner of the Nigerian Customs Service, Bashir Adeniyi, represented by the Commissioner of Zone B, ACG Sambo Dangaladima, said the occasion marks a significant step towards the resumption of trade between the Segbana and Tsamiya borders of the state represented by Kebbi.
He said that in May 2024, a high-level Nigerian delegation met with a Benin Republic delegation to discuss key issues related to border opening with a view to accelerating the establishment of border posts with a focus on logistics, security measures, and economic benefits, among others.
“The establishment of this commercial office in Kano, a major commercial hub, highlights the importance of Kano as a central commercial centre and the importance of streamlining business processes in the region.
This includes the establishment of an export terminal to support local industries as well as being in line with the Federal Government’s broader objectives of improving food security and strengthening economic ties within Nigeria and across borders. He reaffirmed the NCS’s efforts to implement and enforce government policies and guidelines that foster economic growth and development while calling on the business community to ensure payment of taxes due and honest trade.
In his address, the Head of Benin Customs, Colonel Idriso Imorou, said that Benin Customs will instruct to ensure that goods passing through the Tsamiya border arrive safely at the Tsamiya border and do not experience unnecessary delays in customs clearance.
While pointing out the harmonious cooperation between the two customs for smooth business transactions, he called on both the Presidents of Benin and Nigeria to reduce the tax burden on goods to reduce the impact on population and socio-economic growth.
The Tsamiya Customs Office in Kano will support and facilitate the business of businessmen from Kano in the Republic of Benin, promote and take advantage of the trade agreement that allows the clearance of goods from Kano in Cotonou, facilitating cross-border trade and reducing delays and costs. There has been a decline in exporters and importers using the port of Cotonou.
