By Muhammad Nasir Bashir
Dutse – Gov. Muhammad Badaru of Jigawa has promised to provide all the needed infrastructure to ensure viability of the cross border trade zone between Kano-Jigawa-Katsina and Zinder state in Niger Republic.
Badaru said this during the official launching of the Kano-Jigawa-Daura-Zinder (KA.JI.DA.Z.)Trade Corridor by Nigeria/Niger Joint Commission for Cooperation (NNJC) in Dutse on Thursday.
He said that his administration would mobilise resources and ask Federal Government to extend railway line to Maigatari to facilitate the movement of agriculture produce across the border of the two countries.
“Jigawa state is ready to take the advantages of the trade zone through the Maigatari border.
“This will also support the Federal Government’s agenda of economic diversification and wealth creation.
“The people of these areas share the same socio-culturally ties. And these are ties that are not supposed to be allowed to disappear in thin air,” he said.
Also, Gov. Umar Ganduje of Kano State, expressed optimism over the existence of cross border trade between Kano-Daura and Zinder Trade corridor, pointing out it would promote the cultural heritage of the two countries.
Ganduje further explained that the cross border trade would foster unity and cooperation.
“I consider this gathering very significant as it will touch the lives of our people in one way or the other.
“It will do that by stimulating cross border trade and strengthening bilateral cooperation between Nigeria and the Republic of Niger to move the two nations forward economically,” he said.
He explained that there was no better time for Niger and Nigeria to become very close in all aspects of human endeavor than now.
According to him, the two countries need initiatives that will ensure strong regional integration to fight hunger, poverty and insecurity.
“Certainly, the introduction of cross border trade programme is a noble idea that promotes economic integration by ensuring free movement of persons, capital, goods and services in both countries without unjustifiable barriers.
“Therefore, we have to salute the efforts of the Nigeria-Niger Joint Commission for Cooperation (NNJC) for nurturing the idea of cross border trade,” Ganduje said.
According to him, the two nations, have since established a strong foundation of bilateral cooperation through the creation of NNJC in 1971.
“Equally, the two nations had moved significantly closer through the July 1990 bilateral agreement signed in the area of road transport, agreement on crop pests control, agreement on the establishment of local bilateral committees for cross border cooperation and agreement on protocol on information sharing.
According to him, the trade agreement between Niger and Nigeria signed in January 2002 as well as the agreement on the promotion and reciprocal protection of investments, are clear testimonies that the two nations are working high level of integration formalities based on the realities of their history and culture.
“Consequently, what we are witnessing today is a process of galvanising and utilising the established protocol to achieve wider bilateral economic outlook and market integration,” the governor added.
However, Ganduje said that there were numerous challenges that cross border trades were confronted with.
“We hope that the programme will address the identified gaps and constraints, especially related to free movement of goods and services, road-related harassment and inaccessibility to banking services, among others,” he said.
The governor further said the Kano State Government in its modest way, had taken the issue of bilateral cooperation with the Republic of Niger to the next level.
“In 2012, we had organised Kano-Niger Republic Trade and Investment Summit, resulting in opening up modern trading activities.
“Other consequential issues that followed included the establishment of two bilingual secondary schools, one for males at Niamey and the other and Zinder for females.
“So, I wish at this juncture, to reiterate our unreserved support to cross border initiatives and the launching Kano-Jigawa-Daura-Zinder Corridor (KA.JI.DA.Z.)
“It is hoped that all the actors will work towards economic integration that will revamp our economy to reduce hardship, fight poverty, restiveness and create sustainable livelihood,” he added.
While the Governor of Zinder from the Niger Republic, Alhaji Musa Isah, commended Presidents Mohammadu Buhari and Mohammadu Yusufuou of Nigeria and Niger Republic respectively, for their commitment t the development of the cross border corridor.
Also the Governor of Katsina state, represented by his deputy, Alhaji Munir Yakub, said the Katsina-Maradi Trade Affairs had been in existence between the two states for long to tighten the cross border trade, unity and cooperation.
“Katsina State Government has provided vehicles and other logistic with befitting office accommodation at the central city of Katsina, all aimed at developing trade between the two states of Katsina and Maradi in Niger Republic,” he said.