Posted on January 13, 2025
A retired Deputy Comptroller of Customs, Mr Yahaya Oladiran Idris, has called on the Federal Government, Lagos state government and promoters of the Badagry deep seaport to resolve all the grey areas hindering the timely actualisation of the project to allow it come on stream in 2025.
The former customs officer, who is the incumbent President of Badagry Chamber of Commerce Industry, Mines and Agriculture, make the case for the Port project during his interaction with the executive members of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria(MARAN) during their two- day retreat programme at the ancient city.
Mr Oladiran maintained his conviction that the port has all the fundamentals to thrive due to the huge economic potentials of Badagry town that will support the project.
He 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 transshipment route to landlocked countries of Niger Republic and Chad.
He pointed out that both Niger Republic and Chad prefer Nigerian ports for their cargoes.
“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 transshipment 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,” the former customs chief declared.
The President of Badagry Chamber of Commerce further noted that the construction of the port would attract more investors to Badagry and provide job opportunities for artisans and vendors.
“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,” he said.
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 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 of Commerce 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 noted.
