ECOWAS free movement: Tinubu orders dismantling of checkpoints
President Bola Tinubu has ordered the setting up of a Presidential Task Force to dismantle multiple checkpoints that are hindering free movement.
Ambassador Musa Nuhu, Permanent Representative of Nigeria to ECOWAS, disclosed this during a visit to the Nigeria/Benin Republic border in Seme on Wednesday.
“We are starting with the Seme-Badagry Corridor first. That committee has been set up under the authority of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and we will soon start working to address this issue.
“So, we have noted all the issues mentioned, and I assure you that the government of Nigeria will also address the other issues that are subsequently mentioned.”
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There have been complaints of multiple checkpoints along the Badagry-Seme corridor, which are affecting the smooth movement of people and goods between Nigeria and the Benin Republic.
Ambassador Nuhu said, “This is the busiest border in West Africa, in terms of passage of goods, people and services. And if free movement is working in West Africa, it is in this border that we will be able to find out”.
Most motorists who spoke during the meeting complained about multiple checkpoints and extortion by security agencies along the corridor.
Responding, the President of ECOWAS Commission, Omar Alieu Touray, said that any payment made by motorists must be accompanied by receipts.
He lamented that the multiple checkpoints and extortion of community citizens across the member states was defeating the intention of ECOWAS to have a more integrated region.
“While you check passengers and road users, we should go beyond these charges of being asked to pay money without receipts. If there are any payments to be done, those payments should be officially receipted.
“It’s one thing to ask somebody to open their bags and then investigate and check, but it’s a totally different thing to ask them to pay money which are not receipted.”
