The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to lift the ban on the sale of fuel in border communities, citing the removal of fuel subsidy as the reason for this request.
During the plenary in Abuja on Tuesday, a motion presented by Rep. Adegboyega Isiaka (APC-Ogun) was adopted by the House, addressing the issue.
Isiaka highlighted that in November 2019, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) imposed a ban on the sale and supply of petrol in communities located within 20 kilometers of the Nigerian border. The purpose of the ban was to curb the smuggling of subsidized petroleum products to neighboring countries.
Isiaka argued that since the government has now eliminated the petrol subsidy, the ban is no longer necessary. He emphasized that the ban has resulted in significant hardships for millions of Nigerians residing and conducting businesses in the affected areas.
Communities in 15 states have been affected, forcing residents to travel long distances to obtain petroleum products or pay inflated prices to secure them for their daily needs. The ban has also had adverse effects on socio-economic activities in these areas.
The House, in support of the motion, called on the Nigeria Customs Service and other relevant government agencies to promptly lift the ban.
Additionally, when constituted, the Committee on Customs and Excise has been mandated to ensure compliance with the resolution.
By urging the reversal of the ban, the House of Representatives seeks to alleviate the burdens faced by communities in border areas and restore normalcy to their economic activities regarding the sale and availability of petrol.