The President of the Badagry Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (BACCIMA), Alhaji Yahaya Idris, has called on the federal government to accelerate the development of the multi-billion-dollar Badagry Deep Seaport project.
The Badagry Deep Seaport project, valued at over $2.5 billion, is projected to transform the economic landscape of Badagry and its environs, serving as a critical gateway for trade across the West African sub-region. However, delays in its execution have dampened local enthusiasm.
Idris emphasised the project’s vast economic prospects, urging its swift commencement to unlock immense opportunities for the region and the country during a courtesy visit to the newly appointed Controller of the Seme Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Comptroller Kayode Kolade, in Seme.
“The residents of Badagry and other communities are tired of waiting endlessly for the project to commence.
“We want to use this medium to appeal to the Nigerian Customs Service to be one of the vanguards for the quick development of the project. The timely completion of the project will equally enhance revenue generation for the Federal Government and reduce smuggling along this axis,” Idris stated.
Idris revealed that BACCIMA had already reached out to key stakeholders, including the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), advocating for expedited progress.
In addition to the Deep Seaport plea, Idris urged the federal government to reconsider its policy on the total ban on the importation of fairly used vehicles, commonly known as Tokunbo. He highlighted the economic impact of the closure of the Seme border on vehicle imports.
He said: “This policy has profound and far-reaching consequences. In Nigeria alone, it has resulted in a loss of potential revenue, and for our Chamber, it has meant watching the lifeblood of trade slowly dissipate, leaving businesses in hardship and local economies struggling.”
Before the closure, vehicle imports accounted for nearly 60 percent of revenue generated by the Nigeria Customs Service at the Seme border.
Idris argued that reopening the borders would provide a significant boost to employment and local businesses.
“Neighbouring regions with open borders have enjoyed greater GDP growth, higher employment rates, and sustainable development,” he added, calling on Comptroller Kolade to lend his voice in advocating for policy reform.
The BACCIMA delegation also visited the Seme Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), where they were received by Comptroller Abdullahi Adamu.
Idris commended the immigration service for its role in facilitating cross-border trade along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor, a critical hub for regional commerce.
“Cross-border trade thrives not only on the movement of goods but also on the smooth passage of traders, business owners, and their employees,” Idris said.
“BACCIMA sees immense value in partnering with immigration authorities to enable more streamlined movement, which would directly support economic growth in the region without compromising security.”
He proposed the introduction of a biometric identification card system for registered traders, which he believed would enhance trade efficiency and security.
In response to BACCIMA’s advocacy, Comptroller Kolade praised the Chamber for its strategic involvement in advancing economic growth in the Badagry region.
