By Dansu Peter President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the establishment of a high-level presidential committee tasked with eliminating th...
By Dansu Peter
The committee, to be chaired by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, will spearhead the effort to dismantle illegal and redundant roadblocks that continue to obstruct the smooth movement of people and goods between Nigeria and its West African neighbors.
Ambassador Musa Nuhu, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to ECOWAS, made this announcement during a stakeholder visit to the Nigeria-Benin border at Seme on Wednesday.
“We are beginning with the Seme-Badagry corridor,” Nuhu said. “The committee, under the direction of the SGF, has been constituted and will commence work immediately to address the issue of multiple checkpoints along this critical route.”
He assured border communities and transport stakeholders that the Federal Government is committed to resolving long-standing complaints regarding extortion and harassment by security agencies at checkpoints. “We have taken note of all the concerns raised and are working with the appropriate authorities to ensure these bottlenecks are removed,” he added.
The Seme border, one of the busiest land borders in West Africa, plays a vital role in facilitating trade and the movement of people across the sub-region. However, transporters and residents have repeatedly lamented the presence of numerous checkpoints, often manned by overlapping security agencies, which not only delay transit but also fuel corruption.
“These checkpoints are defeating the essence of the ECOWAS Protocol on the Free Movement of Persons and Goods,” warned Dr. Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, who accompanied Ambassador Nuhu on the visit. “Security is important, yes, but extorting travelers without issuing receipts is unacceptable. Any legitimate payment must be documented.”
Touray emphasized the importance of respecting regional agreements and urged member states to adopt best practices that uphold dignity and accountability while ensuring safety.
The Tinubu administration's latest intervention reflects its growing commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s role in regional integration efforts and creating a more enabling environment for commerce.
With the SGF-led committee expected to begin operations promptly, local communities, businesses, and regional partners are watching closely to see whether the long-standing barrier to seamless movement on ECOWAS roads can finally be brought to an end.
No comments