Nigerian, Ghanaian officials seek reduction in border check-points
By Moses Ebosele
(Who was in Accra, Ghana)
TWO officials of Nigeria and Ghana, both prominent members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), have urged a reduction in check-points at borders in the sub-region.
ECOWAS leaders recently resolved to form a common customs union by 2007.
At a ceremony to commemorate the inauguration of ABC Transport Bus Services between Nigeria and Ghana at the weekend, the Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Omotayo Omotosho said that the move would boost the economy and promote tourism of the sub-region.
The Ghanaian Inspector-General of Police, who was represented on the occasion by a Superintendent of Police, Alhaji Ismail Saakah, spoke in the same vein.
The NTDC chief who was in Accra for the ceremony said: "Through co-operation, collaboration and dogged effort at ensuring that these obstacles are overcome, the dream of getting a more balanced economy for countries within the ECOWAS sub-region can be achieved."
Referring to the numerous check-points along the major highways, especially at border points, the NTDC chief executive who was accompanied by some officials of the corporation said there was the need for ECOWAS members to sensitize their citizens to the need to promote peaceful atmosphere for trade and tourism to thrive.
" NTDC's job as a government agency and tourism facilitator is to go back home to formerly inform the Ministry of Co-operation and Integration that is saddled with trade and tourism passage within the ECOWAS sub-region.
"We want them to now inform other nations of such passage. The nations will then sensitize their immigration services, customs, security agencies and others that have one thing or another to do at the border.
"We are not saying that the bottleneck should be totally removed, but we can make it faster", Omotayo added.
Saakah, speaking for Ghana's Inspector General of Police said, however, that there was the need for relevant authorities in the region to meet over the issue.
His words: "Whatever may be the case, we must be apprehensive of security. We don't need to remove everything".
Managing Director of Associated Bus Company (ABC), Frank Nneji explained that the transport firm in collaboration with PERGAN Transport Services in Accra, had put necessary structures in place to facilitate ABC trips.
Nneji said a list of prohibited items would be made available to potential travellers before being allowed to make use of the services.
Travellers currently spend between 15 and 16 hours to travel to Accra by road instead of eight hours.
At each border point, travellers are subjected to a routine of being checked, with some allegedly compelled to part with money to security agents before being allowed to proceed on their journey.
For instance, between Seme border and Badagry in Nigeria, 14 check-points were identified on that route at the weekend.
