The President of Badagry Chamber of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture, Mr. Yahaya Oladiran Idris has drummed support for the proposed deep seaport in Badagry, Lagos State.
He posited that the deep seaport will thrive because its location, Badagry has a lot of economic potentials that can support its sustainable development.
Idris made this known while interacting with the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) executives at its two day retreat in preparation for the task ahead in 2025.
Idris who retired as a Deputy Comptroller (DC), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) 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 the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and Europe.
Enumerating the merits of the propose deep seaport, the retired Customs Chief explained that Badagry is home of the most significant border post in Nigeria, Seme Border that also enjoys good intermodal transportation system including good waterways and Lagos-Sokoto Expressway that can serve as a trans-shipment route to landlocked countries of Niger Republic and Chad.
He pointed out that both Niger Republic and Chad prefer Nigerian ports for the importation and exportation of their cargoes.
His words: “We are fully aware of the economic viability 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 the Republic of Benin and Togo will be dropped at Badagry Deep Seaport. The port will serve as a trans-shipment 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 Republic of Benin 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 percent when completed.”
He maintained that the construction of the port would attract more investors to Badagry and provide job opportunities for artisans and vendors.
He also called on the Federal Government, Lagos State Government and promoters of the port to come to a roundtable and resolve all the nitty-gritty areas that are hindering the deep seaport construction.
According to him, 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.
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 and the fact that the promoters must have done their visibility study before proposing its establishment in Badagry.
On the land border closure to vehicles importation, Idris said Nigeria’s border is too porous and too laborious to manage considering its vastness.
He argued that the country is losing a lot of revenue to vehicle smugglers who are taking advantage of border closure to vehicles importation.
“The major casualties are the officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service who have lost their lives while chasing smugglers in the bush, forest and creeks surrounding the borders”, he said.
Idris enjoined the Federal Government to open up the borders and allow vehicles importation to avoid revenue loss and unwarranted death of officers and men of the Nigeria Customs Service.
He argued that trade facilitation is a collective responsibility among importers, customs agents, the Customs and other agencies involved in the free-flow of cargo in and out of the nation’s seaports.
“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,” he said.
He used the occasion to commend the present management of NCS which has Alhaji Bashir Adewale Adeniyi as its Comptroller General 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 added.