The President of the Badagry Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Mr. Yahaya Oladiran Idirs has posited that the proposed deep seaport in Badagry will thrive because Badagry has a lot of economic potentials that can support it.
Idris made this known while interacting with members of the Executives of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria, MARAN during their two day retreat in preparation for the task ahead of them in the new year.
The retired Deputy Comptroller of Customs also noted that with the huge investment opportunities and vibrant infrastructure in Lagos State, Badagry is fully ready for the proposed deep seaport because it is the superhighway to ECOWAS and Europe.
He further explained that Badagry is home of the most significant border post in Nigeria, Seme Border, that aslo enjoys good intermodal transportation systems including good waterways and Lagos-Sokoto Expressway that can serve as a transhipment route to landlocked countries of Niger Republic and Chad.
He pointed out that both Niger Republic and Chad prefer Nigerian ports for their cargoes.
According to him, “We are fully aware of the economic viabilities of Badagry. It is a superhighway to ECOWAS and Europe and the home of the most significant border post in Nigeria. Majority of Nigerian cargo stemmed down at ports in Benin Republic and Togo Republic will be dropped at Badagry Deep Seaport. The port will serve as a transhipment hub for landlocked countries of Niger Republic and Chad.
“Badagry has a good waterway. It makes it easier to come to Badagry and down to Benin Republic through the lagoon. As a matter of fact, the port will lead to a considerable reduction in smuggling, if not by zero percent but at least by 20%, when completed”, said Idris
The retired Customs officer maintained that the construction of the port would attract more investors to Badagry and provide job opportunities for artisans and vendors. He called on the Federal Government, Lagos State Government and promoters of the port to come to a roundtable and resolve all the grey areas that are hindering the commencement of the port construction.
“As a chamber, we are expecting the construction of the port to start in 2025. We are enjoining the government, the promoters and landowners to talk and settle the grey areas in the port agreement. The port will add to the growth of Badagry”, said he.
On whether there is a need for another deep seaport at Badagry since there is one in Lekki, Yahaya averred that Badagry deep seaport is desirable considering the massive market of Lagos adding that the promoters must have done their visibility study before proposing the establishment of the port in Badagry.
On the land border closure to vehicles, Deputy Comptroller Yahaya said Nigeria’s border is too porous and too laborious to manage considering its vastness and the country is losing a lot of revenue to vehicle smugglers who are taking advantage of this closure.
According to him, the major casualties are the officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service who have lost their lives while chasing smugglers in the forest.
He advised the federal government to open up the borders and allow vehicles to come in to avoid revenue loss and unwarranted death of officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service.
On trade facilitation, Yahaya posited that trade facilitation is a collective responsibility among importers, customs agents, the Customs and other agencies involved in free-flow of cargo in and out of the port.
According to him, “Trade can be facilitated when importers are honest with their consignments. Lack of transparency brings about multiple debit notes everywhere. Trade facilitation starts from importers, agents and me.
“Also, NAFDAC and SON treating the same products delays trade facilitation. Government has to intervene and delineate functions of these agencies properly. Above all, some goods need reclassification.”
The Badagry Chamber President commended the present management of the Nigeria Customs Service led by Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi for making the welfare of officers and men a priority.
“Comptroller General Adewale Adeniyi has done well in terms of promotion of staff. Officers and men will be happy when they get their promotions regularly, and CGC Adeniyi has not failed in this area”, he concluded.
Photo: Mr. Yahaya Oladiran Idirs, President of the Badagry Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture.
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