The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) in partnership with the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) have concluded a stakeholders’ engagement focused on mainstreaming informal cross-border trade.

The stakeholders’ engagement, themed ‘Mainstreaming Informal Cross-Border Trade and Data Collection for Enhanced Economic Development’, aimed to enhance economic development through organised trade practices and data collection,  recently held in Saki, Oyo State.

Mrs Nonye Ayeni, the NEPC’s Chief Executive Officer, who spoke for Dr Joe Itah, the council’s Director, Trade Information Department, explained the crucial role of border towns in Nigeria as trade hubs.

He said, “Border towns are important trade hubs which should be more organised to bring benefits to the country.”

According to Ayeni, the engagement provided a platform for stakeholders to exchange experiences related to cross-border trade, including discussions on addressing the issue of poor road conditions in Saki.

“We have seen the deplorable state of the road, and we know that the government is doing something positive to ensure the road is fixed to serve the people. When we go back, we shall talk about what the country is missing with the state of the road and something positive will be done,” he stated.

The NEPC boss also explained the importance of educating the public on the government’s data-capturing operations regarding cross-border trade.

“We are not coming as tax collectors; we are not coming to take away jobs from your people. Instead, we want to enhance what you do,” he added.

Ayeni remarked, “We are here to make food available for the people and out of that, they should have something left for export. The Federal and State Governments are aware we are here.

“We plead that the traditional rulers sensitise the people to cooperate with us. We have some small papers to fill; we need to make the people know how to earn hard currency and have enough to send their children to school.”

He highlighted Saki’s strategic importance, stating, “This is our second visit; the first was to Kebbi, where we toured four border towns. Due to Saki’s significance, we made it a priority to visit here as well.”