Reps Demand Reversal of Fuel Supply Ban in Border Towns, Cite Economic Implications

• House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to reconsider the ban on petrol sales in border towns
• A member of the House stated that the ban no longer serves its purpose as there is no longer subsidy on petrol
• It was also concluded that the ban has a negative consequence on socio-economic activities of the residents of the communities

The House of Representatives has tasked the Federal Government to lift the ban on the sale of petrol in border communities, citing the removal of fuel subsidy.

It would be recalled that on May 29, 2023, during his inauguration speech, President Bola Tinubu announced to Nigerians the end of fuel subsidy regime in Nigeria.

Adegboyega Isiaka, a house of representative member of the (APC-Ogun) adopted the motion at the plenary in Abuja on Tuesday, The Guardian reports.

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Highlighting that Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) had in November 2019 banned the sale and supply of petrol in communities within 20 kilometres of the Nigerian border, Isiaka noted that the essence was to facilitate the prevention of subsidised petroleum products smuggled into neighbouring countries.

He stated that the ban no longer serves its purpose considering that the government had removed subsidies on fuel.

He therefore called for the lifting of the ban which according to him had caused untold hardship on millions of Nigerians living and conducting businesses within the affected area.

House claim ban negative impact on the communitites

He also added that the ban continued to impact negatively on the socio-economic activities in the affected areas as residents had to travel kilometers to get the products or pay extra amount to secure the products for their daily needs.

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While the House adopted the motion, it urged NCS and other relevant government agencies to ensure immediate lifting of the ban and also mandated the Committee on Customs and Excise when constituted to ensure compliance.

Oil marketers reveal African countries selling petrol higher than Nigeria

In a related news, Legit.ng reported that oil marketers revealed African countries selling petrol at higher prices than Nigeria.

Data from the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) revealed that Nigeria maintains the lowest petrol prices compared to its African neighbors in west Africa.

Legit.ng also reported that Nigeria now sell petrol the same price as Ghana and Nine other African countries.

Data from Global Petrol Prices shows that prices across Africa are no longer as wide thereby creating an arbitrage incentivizing the petrol smuggling industry in Africa.

Source: Legit.ng