The President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr. Omar Touray, has expressed deep concern over the deteriorating state of infrastructure at the Nigeria-Bénin Seme border, despite substantial investments by ECOWAS. During a recent assessment visit to the strategic border post, he emphasized the need for urgent reforms to uphold the ECOWAS Protocol on Free Movement and pledged to deliver a comprehensive report on the matter.
Touray criticized the non-functional state of key infrastructure such as scanners, lighting systems, and bridges, pointing out that their disrepair undermines regional goals and wastes resources. He stressed that maintenance is the responsibility of member states and urged national authorities to take ownership rather than rely solely on ECOWAS. He also condemned the proliferation of checkpoints and unofficial charges, which he said frustrate trade and enable corruption.
The Comptroller of Nigeria Customs at the Seme Border, Dr. Ben Oramalugo, echoed these concerns, revealing that the scanners have been inoperative since February, posing security risks. He further highlighted the absence of basic amenities such as electricity, clean water, and proper lighting, all of which hamper operations and compromise security. Oramalugo called for a limit on the number of checkpoints and requested urgent support to restore critical services.
Nigeria’s ECOWAS envoy, Ambassador Musa Nuhu, affirmed the Seme border’s centrality to regional integration and disclosed that President Tinubu has initiated a presidential task force to reduce checkpoint duplication. He noted the need to bridge the gap between policy and practice, emphasizing that if ECOWAS free movement is to succeed, practical improvements must begin at this key corridor.
