Many years after it was
conceived, the Zamfara-Sokoto-Kebbi-Tahoua cross border trade route has finally
become a reality with its official launch in Sokoto Tuesday.
The event, which held in
Sokoto Government House, had in attendance Governors Aminu Waziri Tambuwal,
Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of Sokoto and Kebbi states, as well as Abdulrahman Musa
of Tahoua region of Niger Republic.
In
his remarks, Tambuwal said the launching of the trade corridor is another
landmark achievement of the Nigeria-Niger Joint Commission, who aim is to
ensure growth and economic development of the two countries.
He said the initiative will positively redress the several
obstacles experienced by the country's cross- border traders such as road
harassment, multiple and sometimes illegal check points, unnecessary delays and
unlawful charges at the borders.
He said such illegalities hinder agro- pastoral business in the
borders and deter their collective efforts towards achieving regional economic
integration.
The Sokoto Governor therefore enjoined all stakeholders to
ensure faithful implementation of the project so as to ensure full realization
of its primary objectives which include serving as catalyst for free flow of
goods and boosting of trade transactions within the corridor.
He said Sokoto state government, in collaboration with the
Federal Government, will establish and upgrade some infrastructures and
institutions in the state that would support the corridor.
“Such infrastructures include establishment of the Illela
International market which will promote high level commercial activities in the
area and the planned extension of rail service from Kaura Namoda to Sokoto and
the Niger Republic border as well as establishment of Truck Transit Park,” he
added.
Others are business information centre and inland dry port at
illela to ensure effective import and export of products to and from Nigeria.
Tambuwal said so far, the state government has embarked on the
construction of some important Trunk A roads that link Sokoto state with Niger
Republic. The roads according to him were started during the last
administration in the state and are presently being executed with renewed vigor
by the current administration.
The roads include Ruwa Wuri-Niger road, Tsululu-Kuya junction
and Wauru -Kadadi-Rafin Duma-Galmi roads.
In their separate remarks, Governors Bagudu and Musa expressed
optimism that the trans-border trade between the zone and Niger Republic will
increase economic activities and be of benefit of citizens of both countries.
Diplomats from the two countries’ external affairs ministries
witnessed the event.
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