Despite the high transit levy, the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor is generating more than 200,000 200,000tons of goods per year, The PUNCH reports.

The Vice President in charge of National and International Affairs and Coordinator of the Eastern Corridor of West African Cross Border Traders, Salami Nasiru Alasoadua, disclosed this in a report exclusively sent to our correspondent.

Adaua stressed the importance of having a functional weighbridge and tollgates on the Nigerian side of the corridor so that transporters that do not respect the axle load policy will be penalised.

He mentioned that the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor represents 90 per cent of the volume of goods in the Economic Community of West African States.

“As the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor is generating more than 200,000 tonnes of goods per year, there must be a functional weighbridge and tollgates on the Nigerian side so that when a transporter does not respect the axle load policy and others, he will be penalised. This is very important to protect the road infrastructure,” he said.

He lamented the high transit levy on the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor, especially in the Republic of Benin, adding that scanners at the border have not been operational since they were installed.

“The non-functionality of the weighbridge has also led to an improvised estimation of the weight of goods, which is not in favour of traders nor of the customs revenue,” he said.

Speaking further on the challenges, he mentioned a lack of electricity, stating that there is an erratic electric power supply.

“No customs connectivity between the two sides for the sharing of information even as they are using the same building, no fire brigade services in case there is an incident of fire outbreak, and unstable internet flow on the Nigerian side which sometimes can change to the Republic of Benin network or enter into roaming,” he said.

Alasoadua said the issues are about to be resolved, adding that WACTAF has met with the appropriate ministries for their intervention.

He added that his office has put together a Benin-Nigeria commission to solve most of the issues.

Alasoadua emphasised that there must be a reorganisation of the private sector by stopping overloading and having the appropriate documents for their vehicles and also their travel documents.

Alasoadua lamented that traders spent more hours on the road because of the numerous checkpoints between Mile 2 and Seme, which is just a 100-kilometre journey.

“The journey, which is supposed to be a few hours, is made in two days,” he said.