BY GODFREY BIVBRERE

The Nigeria Customs Service, NSC is to commence clearance of imported new vehicles through the nation’s land borders as it begins a new transit regime for automobile from neighbouring countries.

The Public Relations Officer of Seme border Command of the NCS, Ernest Olottah, who disclosed this in a press statement, said a pilot scheme will start with Benin Republic and Seme Border.

Olottah pointed out that the new regime will later be expanded to Cameroon, Chad and Niger Republic.

The Customs’ image maker explained that the new policy was a fall out of a March 26, 2014 meeting of Directors -General of Customs of the five proximate countries held in Abuja.

He pointed out that the policy will result in all Nigerian bound vehicles imported from the affected countries being handed over to the Nigerian Customs by the   country’s customs administration after due clearance.

He said that over 120 cars were handed over at the flag off ceremony. The vehicles are to be parked at a designated place already prepared by the Nigeria Customs. This, he added brings an end to the hitherto disorganised commer-cial car parks system that existed at  the Benin end of the border.

He stressed the need for regional security, facilitation of genuine trade and improvement of existing synergies between Nigeria Customs and other Customs’ administra-tions sharing common borders with the country.

He said the flag off ceremony was conducted by the Nigerian Ambassador to Benin Republic, Ambassador Lawrence Olufemi Obisakin and was witnessed by officials of both countries.

The Ambassador he added, said that the Customs at Seme border and Benin Republic would have an important role in getting industrialized goods shipped from Nigeria to other West African countries.

The first formal handover of the manifest was performed by Chef De Brigade of Benin Customs at Seme Krake, Captain Imouru Idrissou and was received on behalf of the Nigerian Customs Service by Deputy Comptroller Joseph Ochelebe.