Gov Idris Lauds President Tinubu, Talon For Resuscitating Trade, Transportation

Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his Beninois counterpart, President Patrice Talon of Benin Republic for resuscitating free flow of trade and transportation of goods to various destinations within the two countries.

Idris made the commendation shortly after the Foreign Ministers of Nigeria amd Benin Republic held bilateral talks on improving free flow of trade and commerce between the two nations on Tuesday.

The meeting, which was closed door, was held at Anguwar Sule Wara a border town in Benin Republic.

According to the Governor, ‘ Kebbi State has maintained good neighborliness with the Republic of Benin, beneficial to both border communities and other residents on economic activities and social interaction,” he said.

Briefing newsmen after the meeting, also the Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alhaji Yusuf Tuggar, said the consultative forum was based on order by President Bola Tinubu and President, Patrice Talon, of Benin Republic.

“The meeting at the Segbana border post in Benin Republic is aimed at bringing the border crossing between Tsamiya in Nigeria and Anguwar Sule Wata in Benin Republic back to life through infrastructural development inline with renewed hope initiative of President Tinubu.

“The meeting is to strengthen social and economic interaction as well as expand trade and commerce between the citizens of the two nations,” he said.

Tugger said that further progress had been made on strengthening relations between the two sister West African nations.

On his part, the Comptroller- General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Bashir Adewale-Adeniyi, said that the meeting was to advance the course of regional integration between the two countries already created by the two Presidents.

“For the past six months the Nigeria customs service has been working together with the Customs Service of Benin Republic towards bringing the economies of both nations closer together through easy border crossing and bringing back to life the border post at Tsamiya and Anguwar Sule Wara.

” One of our challenges is infrastructure which we have embarked on improvement of facilities at the border for easy access of entry between the citizens of the nations,” he said.

Other officials at the meeting included; Mr Romuald Wadagni, Senior Minister, Benin Ministry of Economy and Finance and Cooperation; Mr Olushegun Adjadi-Bakaru, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Benin Republic and Mrs Adidjatou Hassan, General Director of the Benin Customs Service, among others.

Governor Nasir Idris was accompanied by the Secretary to the State Government, SSG Alhaji Yakubu Bala-Tafida, Head of Service, Alhaji Sufyanu Garba Bena, some commissioners, Special Advisers and government officials.

Credit: YAHAYA SARKI,
Special Adviser to Kebbi State Governor on Media and Publicity