The event, which held at the Sokoto Government House, had in attendance Governors Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of Sokoto and Kebbi states, respectively as well as Abdulrahman Musa of Tahoua region of Niger Republic.
In his remarks, Tambuwal said the launching of the trade corridor was another landmark achievement of the Nigeria-Niger Joint Commission, which is aimed at ensuring growth and economic development of the two countries.
He said that the initiative would positively redress the several obstacles such as road harassment, multiple and sometimes illegal check points, unnecessary delays and unlawful charges at the borders experienced by the country’s cross- border traders.
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 realisation of its primary objectives, which include serving as catalyst for free flow of goods and boosting of trade transactions within the corridor.
He said the Sokoto State Government, in collaboration with the Federal Government, would establish and upgrade some infrastructure and institutions in the state that would support the corridor.
“Such infrastructure 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 the 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 had 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 vigour 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 would increase economic activities and be of benefit to the citizens of both countries.
Diplomats from the two countries’ external affairs ministries witnessed the event.
