Senate Summons Customs Boss Over Suspension Of Fuel Supply To Nearby Border Posts

Apparently not satisfied with  the action, the Senate on Wednesday , mandated its committee on Customs to summon the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Col. Hameed Ali( rtd) , over the suspension of the supply of petroleum products to border towns.

Recall the Comptroller General of the Service last week suspended supply of petroleum products 20kilometres from the closest gas station from the border post.

The Upper Chamber issued this directive after considering a motion moved by Senator Odebiyi Akinremi, APC Ogun West, who asked that the senate revisit the suspension order placed by the customs service on the supply of petroleum products to border communities.

Senator Akinremi said the directive by the Customs Service is causing a huge scarcity of petroleum products in the border towns as well raising the cost of fuel astronomically.

The Senate therefore mandated its Committee on Customs to summon the Comptroller General of the Nigerian Customs, with a view of working out a viable economic framework/policy that could further mitigate the sufferings of the people, and communities across the border areas.

They also resolved to call on the CG to urgently explore the use of modern technological devices in the tracking, management, and scheduling of petroleum trucks that undertake business along the border towns.

According to the lawmakers, a comprehensive audit of all petroleum stations and suppliers across the border communities is needed, in a bid to closely monitor their movement by mandating each moving truck to have a tracking device that is monitored by the Nigerian Customs Service in a wholesome manner.