Border closure: Order by the customs boss contravenes Act - Reps

…. Condemn ban on petrol sale to border communities

The House of Representatives has described the order by the customs boss banning sales of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) within 20km to the country’s borders as a contravention of the provisions of the Customs and Excise Act.

The House therefore called on the Federal Government, through the Nigerian Customs Service to lift the ban

Recall that on Thursday, the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd.), directed that no petroleum products should be supplied to any filling station within 20 kilometres to the borders.

Moving a motion of urgent national importance at the plenary on Tuesday, a member, Mr Sada Soli, asked that the order by the NCS should be vacated.

Soli argued that the filling stations asked not to sell petrol close to the borders were situated and constructed in compliance with relevant laws.
“This is not acceptable! Review this directive with a human face,” he stated.

Several lawmakers who seconded the motion, criticised the policy while lamenting the hardships being faced by people living in border communities.