In a recent development, the House of Representatives has passed a resolution urging the federal government to lift the ban on the supply of petroleum products to stations located within 20 kilometers of the country’s land borders.
The decision was made during a plenary session on Tuesday after the adoption of a motion presented by Adegboyega Isiaka, a representative from Ogun state.
The legislators have called upon the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) and other relevant government agencies to permit duly registered petrol stations in border communities to receive petroleum products for distribution.
This call comes in response to the directive issued in 2019 by the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, which prohibited the supply of petroleum products to petrol stations within 20 kilometers of the nation’s borders. The directive aimed to combat the smuggling of petrol to neighboring countries such as Niger Republic, Benin Republic, Cameroon, Chad, and Togo.
However, President Bola Tinubu, in his inaugural speech on May 29, declared an end to the petrol subsidy regime. Consequently, petrol prices skyrocketed across fuel stations in Benin Republic and Cameroon after the subsidy removal.
Isiaka, while moving the motion, emphasized that the ban should be lifted due to the removal of petrol subsidies. He argued that the enforcement of the ban has caused significant hardships for millions of Nigerians residing and conducting businesses within the affected areas.
These individuals are forced to travel long distances to acquire petroleum products or pay additional costs to secure the essential commodity for their daily needs.
“The ban has had a detrimental impact on socio-economic activities in the affected areas,” Isiaka stated.
During a voice vote conducted by Tajudeen Abbas, the speaker of the House, the lawmakers overwhelmingly supported the motion. As part of the resolution, the House has tasked the yet-to-be-constituted Committee on Customs and Excise to ensure the implementation of the decision.
This move by the House of Representatives reflects a growing concern for the welfare of Nigerians residing in border communities and highlights the need to balance national security objectives with the socio-economic well-being of citizens.
The lifting of the ban would alleviate the challenges faced by individuals living in these areas and facilitate the smooth supply of petroleum products to meet their daily needs.
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