President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday maintained that creation of joint border posts will go a long way in checking terrorism and other trans-border crimes.
He made the remark during the foundation laying stone and re-launching of the construction of Seme-Krake joint border, which is one of the seven posts earmarked for construction in the sub-region.
Stressing that the region has no choice but to work together to overcome the challenges, he said that the joint border posts will promote greater integration, development and prosperity in the sub-region.
He said: “Your Excellencies, our sub-region faces many challenges today. They range from the insidious and new wave of terrorism and insurgent activities, to such other trans-border crimes as human and drug trafficking, proliferation of small arms and light weapons, among others.
“We have no choice, as neighbours and brothers, but to work together, in unity and determination, to deal decisively with these threats to our security and stability, which impede our development potential.
“The increased cooperation and coordination of controls, the exchange of data and intelligence which will result from the implementation of the joint border posts will certainly help our countries, individually and collectively, to successfully confront some of these challenges.”
Continuing, he said: “I am confident that by simplifying clearance procedures and reducing unnecessary delays and inconveniences associated with existing conventional border posts, the joint border posts will promote greater integration, development and prosperity, within and among the countries of our sub-region.
“The launch of this project represents an important movement in the ECOWAS integration protocol. An enhanced Seme-Krake joint border post, will no doubt, ameliorate the present hardship being experienced by border users and officials operating along the Nigeria-Benin borders.
He said the project and other similar projects are expected to be completed in good time in order to help enhance trade and cargo movements across West Africa.