By Roland Ekama, Lagos
The Nigeria Customs Service has suspended supply of petroleum products to gas stations within 20 kilometres to all the border posts
Comptroller General of Customs Col. Hameed Ali,( rtd), who gave this directive to all commands through Chidi A, the Deputy Comptroller General Enforcement, Inspection, and Investigation Customs, on Wednesday in Abuja, stated that petroleum tankers must not be allowed to discharge contents within 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.
It said, “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 border closure extension has continued to stir controversies within the ECOWAS sub region, even as the Nigerian government recently gave stringent conditions for the reopening of the frontiers.
