Customs bans supply of petrol to filling stations at borders

Abiola Seun |

The Nigeria Customs Service has suspended supply of petroleum products to filling stations within 20 kilometres to all the border posts in the country.

The Comptroller General of the Service, Col. Hameed Ali,( rtd), gave the directive to all commands through the Deputy Comptroller General, Enforcement, Inspection and Investigation Customs, on Wednesday in Abuja.

The CG stated that petroleum tankers must not be allowed to discharge contents within the said distances.

The circular, dated November 6, 2019, titled, ‘EII/2019/Circular No. 027 Suspension of Petroleum Products Supply To Filling Stations Within 20 Kilometers To All Borders’, addressed to all zonal coordinators, operation swift response, sector coordinator 1,2,3 & 4, customs area controllers, coordinators CGC strike force teams, coordinator, headquarters strike force teams and all marine commands.

The circular reads, “The Comptroller General of Customs has directed that henceforth no petroleum products, no matter the tank size, is permitted to be discharged in any filling station within 20 kilometers to the border.

“Consequently, you are to ensure strict and immediate compliance please,” the statement reads.

Recall that the Customs CG had recently said the main objective of the border closure was to ensure that neighbouring countries complied with the ECOWAS protocols on transit.

Ali explained that the protocol on transit mandated customs in the neighbouring countries to escort items coming to Nigeria to the borders so the importers would not evade payment of duties.

The customs boss added that the closure of the borders had helped to reduce the incessant attacks by bandits and curtailing the influx of arms and ammunition into the country.