Border closure: Customs raise committee on petrol supply suspension

The Nigeria Customs Service said it would set up a task force in
Ogun State to implement the directive on suspension of petrol
supply to filling stations located 20km to the borders.

The Public Relations Officer, NCS Ogun 1 Command, Mr Abdulahi
Maiwada, said the decision was taken in order to ensure seamless
implementation of the directive.

He told our correspondent in a telephone interview on Wednesday
that before the decision was taken, various meetings were held by
top officials of the command with other major stakeholders.

He said members of the task force would be drawn from all the
security agencies, adding that their major task would be to
implement the petrol supply suspension directive.

Maiwada said one of the meetings was with oil marketers in the
region to discuss how the new directive would be implemented in the
command.

He said the other meeting was with traditional rulers, adding
that this was to inform them on the need for the suspension of the
supply of petrol to filling stations at the borders.

Border communities in Ogun and Lagos had accused Customs of
harassment in the enforcement of the suspension.

Reacting to the claim, Maiwada said the task force would be
responsible for managing the inflow of petroleum products for the
basic needs of border communities.

“We have had a series of meetings today – about three separate
meetings; and the essence is to have a seamless implementation of
the directive.

“The first meeting was with the traditional rulers and the
second one was with stakeholders in the oil sector, particularly
the oil marketers within the border area in Ogun State. People from
Ilara, Imeku and Idi-Iroko were also in attendance.

“We itemised the flashpoints and the grey areas where we have
issues in implementation. We are going to resolve those issues
amicably.

“The second issue we discussed with the traditional rulers is
how to sensitise them, all in an effort to have seamless
operations. We don’t want any backlash when implementing this
policy.”

When asked when the task force would commence operations,
Maiwada said the date was expected to be finalised in the next few
days.

“They are going to kick-start their activities as soon as
possible because we are going to brief them.

“We have held meetings on how to avoid infractions and we have
asked each agency to nominate officers that will be part of the
task force,” he added.

Subscribe ToNairalaw News!