In furtherance of efforts to promoting regional trade and enhancing economic activities in the West African subregion, the Tsamiya Dry Port, located in Kebbi State, will soon commence operation, Governor Nasir Idris has disclosed.
A statement issued in Kano at the Tsamiya Dry Port trade office by the Media Consultant, Auwal Sa’id, said Governor Idris made the disclosure shortly after meeting with President Patrick Talon of Benin Republic in Cotonou.
The Governor noted that the meeting was in continuation of efforts aimed at actualising the opening and commencement of trade activities at the border’s Tsamiya Dry Port.
According to the Governor, the meeting in Cotonou was part of the strategy to strengthen economic ties between Nigeria and Benin in preparation for the opening and commencement of operations at the port in Kebbi State.
“We discussed strategic partnership and agreed on all proposals relating to the smooth take-off of the project,” Governor Idris revealed, adding that President Talon was accompanied to the meeting by his ministers of Foreign Affairs and Finance.
A visibly excited Governor Idris further noted that “the agreement between Nigeria and Benin will be highly beneficial to residents of towns and villages along the Sagbana, Tsamiya route”.
He recalled that On May 21, 2024, officials comprising Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister and the Comptroller General of Customs alongside their Benin Republic counterparts, signed agreement on behalf of the two countries for the establishment of the Tsamiya Dry Port and commencement of trade on the route”.
Also speaking after the meeting, the representative of the Benin Republic government, Depute Issa Salifou, who doubles as the facilitator of the project, noted that trade and economic activities will be enhanced not only between Nigeria and Benin Republic but will also include Niger Republic as Kebbi State shares border with the two Francophone countries.
Depute Salifou expressed confidence that the Tsamiya Dry Port project will start operating by the end of October, adding that “as soon as this happens, the people, especially those along the Sagbana-Tsamiya route, will have their lives changed for the better, as their economic well-being will improve through the volumes of trade and other economic activities that will be taking place in that axis.”
He further revealed that “the project signals the legalisation of trade on the route as this is the first legal Dry Port established on the axis, while noting that “prior to this development, trade along the route was being carried out illegally through smuggling since independence.”
The Tsamiya Dry Port project is a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing trade and logistics between Nigeria and Benin Republic. The dry port is designed to facilitate efficient cargo movement, streamline customs processes, and bolster regional economic integration.
In the same vein, the Tsamiya Dry Port is anticipated to increase bilateral trade volumes and attract foreign investment in logistics and manufacturing sectors, strengthen economic ties between Nigeria and Benin Republic, and foster regional stability and collaboration.
In furtherance of efforts to actualizing the initiative, on August 28, 2024, a trade office was commissioned in Kano by a high-powered joint team of Customs officials from both countries to facilitate trade between Nigeria and Benin Republic.