Amaechi Inspects Seme-Karke Joint Border Post (JBP) in Cotonou
Israel Ibeleme
Ahead of the High Level Meeting of Ministers of Transport , Infrastructure and Health of Benin Republic , Ghana , Cote D’Ivore , Nigeria and Togo , hosted by the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure of the Republic of Benin , in collaboration with Abijan Lagos Corridor Organization (ALCO) , taking place on the 28th March, 2019 in Cotonou, Benin Republic, Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of Transportation, RT. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi , paid a surprise inspection visit to the Seme-Karke Joint border post at the Border of Nigeria and the Republic of Benin .
It will be recalled , that The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) with the assistance of the European Union (EU) , established the Seme-Krake Joint Border Post (JBP) with the aim of facilitating trade and transit and cross-border movement of people, vehicle and goods in line with the relevant ECOWAS Protocols acceded to by Heads of States and Government of ECOWAS.
In order to facilitate trade and free movement , all road blocks that constitute barriers to Transit are expected to be removed with the operations at the Border Post of the neighbouring ECOWAS Members States.
Federal Ministry of Transportation is Nigeria’s focal point and doubles as the Chair of the Joint Border Post Management Committee in line with the Act setting up the JBP. The Ministry is also responsible for the maintenance of the facility . Benin Republic has the Ministry of Finance as its own focal point .
Operations at the JBP are carried out by select Border Agencies of both countries working with sub-committees which constitute a management committee of Operatives chaired by the Customs Services of the two countries .
The Republic of Benin and Federal Republic of Nigeria as stipulated by the ECOWAS Act, have the responsibility of oversee the general administration of Joint the border post. Upon the handing over of the Facility to the two countries , the maintenance of facility , operations of the Joint border post, provision and maintenance of JBP operational and administrative equipment.
