It has been revealed that the Nigeria Customs Service had previously removed illegal checkpoints from these corridors, but the Nigeria Police Force subsequently set up over 70 checkpoints, threatening inter-border trade between Nigeria, Benin Republic, and other West African countries.
The Abidjan-Lagos transport corridor is a crucial east-west transport route in West Africa, connecting five capital cities. It plays a vital role in the socio-economic development of the region. However, the proliferation of illegal police checkpoints on these trade corridors is now seen as an obstacle to the smooth operation of the trade agreements among these countries.
Nigerian trade experts have urged the Inspector General of Police to dismantle these illegal checkpoints, as they could discourage the country from effectively leveraging the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement. The checkpoints result in delays, extortion, and demands for bribes, disrupting the seamless flow of goods and threatening regional integration efforts. Stakeholders have called for political will to end these checkpoints and make cross-border trade more efficient.
Source: AllAfrica