Neglect of N4.5b Seme border facility threatens regional trade

Two years after the mega joint-border project by the European Union (EU) and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has been completed at Seme border in Lagos State, the edifice remains unused.

The project is now posing a threat to the legitimate trade and movement of vehicles across the nation’s busiest border, which directly links the Republic of Benin.

When The Guardian visited the border, it was observed that the modern gateway was gradually wasting away, with vehicles parked around the facility while the water that flooded the murky route was weakening the base of the perimeter fence.

A representative of the border communities, who spoke with The Guardian, blamed the delay in commissioning the project on lack of consensus between Nigeria and Benin Republic.

During the visit to the border, The Guardian discovered that over 80 trucks and other smaller vehicles laden with various goods due for examination to ascertain their contents were held up in queues at the Atlas Park bordering Benin Republic and Nigeria.

The Guardian, April 11, 2018

 

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