Reps want ban on fuel lifting at borders reversed

By Christiana Ekpa

The House of Representatives on Tuesday urged the Nigerian Customs Service ( NCS) to as matter of urgency lift the ban on the lifting of fuel by petroleum marketers two miles away from Nigerian borders with other nations.
The House further mandated its Committee on Customs and Excercise to ensure compliance to it’s resolution.
The decision of the House was consequent upon the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by Hon. Sada Soli (Katsina, APC) on the matter on the floor of the House.
Soli while debating the motion noted that Nigeria is a nation comprising of thirty-six states and Federal Capital Territory FCT
He further disclosed that there are over 2000 border communities sharing boundaries in Nigeria with other African nations.
According to him, the Federal Government of Nigeria recently gave orders for the closure of the borders between Nigeria and other neighbouring countries.
He also noted that on November 6, 2019, the Nigeria Customs Service gave orders that no filling stations two miles away from these borders should buy fuel for sale.
The lawmaker informed the House that the policy is affecting many Nigerians and other citizens of our neighbouring countries negatively.
He pointed out that with the speed of the approaching yuletide, there is bound to be huge national crisis over it as most of the citizens who recourse to buying fuel with jerrycan are being hunted by security agents.
He also said that the situation is already worrisome and is bound to create more economic crisis.
Speaking in support, Hon. Abudulahi Abdulkadir A (Katsina, APC) said that the closure of the nation’s borders for economic reasons is laudable but the introduction of other measures is draconian.
Consequently, the House presided by the Deputy Speaker Hon. Idris Wase unanimously adopted the motion with a voice vote.