Joint Border Posts’ll Check Terror, Trans-Border Crimes, says Jonathan

PRES. GOODLUCK JONATHAN & PRES. BONI YAYI AT THE FOUNDATION LAYING CEREMONY OF NIGERIA-BENIN JOINT BORDER POST, SEME-KRAKE, FRIDAY. (PHOTO CREDIT: REUBEN ABATI)
PRES. GOODLUCK JONATHAN & PRES. BONI YAYI AT THE FOUNDATION LAYING CEREMONY OF NIGERIA-BENIN JOINT BORDER POST, SEME-KRAKE, FRIDAY. (PHOTO CREDIT: REUBEN ABATI)

President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday stressed that the creation of joint border posts will go a long way in checking terrorism and other trans-border crimes.

The president spoke during the foundation stone-laying and re-launching ceremony of the construction of Seme-Krake joint border, which is one of the seven posts earmarked for construction in the sub-region.

Stressing that the West African region has no choice but to work together to overcome the challenges, he said that the joint border posts will engender greater integration, development and prosperity in the sub-region.

He said: “Your Excellencies, our sub-region faces many challenges today.  They range from the insidious and new wave of terrorism and insurgent activities  to such other trans-border crimes as human and drug trafficking, proliferation of small arms and light weapons, among others.

“We have no choice as neighbours and brothers, but to work together in unity and determination to deal decisively with these threats to our security and stability which impede our development potential.

“The increased cooperation and coordination of controls, the exchange of data and intelligence which will result from the implementation of the joint border posts will certainly help our countries individually and collectively to successfully confront some of these challenges”.

Continuing, the Nigerian President said: “I am confident that by simplifying clearance procedures and reducing unnecessary delays and inconveniences associated with existing conventional border posts, the joint boarder post (JBP) will promote greater integration, development and prosperity   within and among the countries of our sub-region.

“The launch of this project represents an important movement in the ECOWAS integration protocol. An enhanced Seme-Krake joint border post will, no doubt, ameliorate the present hardship being experienced by border users and officials operating along the Nigeria-Benin borders”.

According to President Jonathan, the project and other similar ones are expected to be completed in record time in order to help enhance trade and cargo movements across West Africa.

“This will help to reduce substantially the time spent between border points and cut costs incurred on transacting business. The over impact will also contribute to regional economic growth”, he said.

Jonathan expressed deep appreciation to President Boni Yayi and the government and good People of Benin Republic for their invaluable partnership with Nigeria.

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