SOUTH-SOUTH MARITIME GROUP, SEME, ELECTS NEW EXECUTIVES

By Okey IROEGBU 

At Seme International border and Customs Area Command, trade facilitation is carried out in a unique way very unknown to outsiders. This uniqueness has existed over the period to encourage cordial relationship.

Trading at the border which embraces the ECOWAS protocols involves Export trade, ETLS, Transit on Import to Nigeria or through Nigeria to other land-locked countries. These therefore requires uniqueness. Seme border became a revenue generating command for the Nigeria Customs Service in 1992 with the official opening of a Customs "Longroom" which signalled the genuine operations of the freight

forwarders. It was a dream come through for many of the freight forwarders who were going to Apapa to run the documentations of the few cars they were clearing through the border. The border which was known before now as a smuggling zone got a rebirth of hope for many of the clearing agents who throng into the area to make a living. Seme border was a gold mine and a land flowing with milk and horney. To harness these benefits, many grouping were formed among which is the South-South Maritime group which is parading noteble

names in the freight forwarding business in this divide, among whom are Alhaji Lawani (Abu millionaire) and Alhaji Momoh (Basket). The group elected the followings to manage the affairs of the association moreso at this period of the border rebirth. They are Frank Itobe as the Chairman, Sam as the Secretary, Victoria Bassey as the Financial Secretary.