Following the directives of the Comptroller General of Customs, Col Hameed Ali (rtd) that fuel supply to fuel stations within 20 kilometers to the border should stop, investigation by Shipping Position Daily has revealed that operatives of the Nigeria Customs Service are believed to have commenced a nationwide crackdown on delivery tankers belonging to the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association on Nigeria (IPMAN) that are caught offloading petroleum products in some Nigerian border towns.
An official of IPMAN who pleaded anonymity said IPMAN on other hand, have threatened to disrupt petroleum products supply nationwide if the Custom officials fail to release the arrested trucks, and discontinue further arrests of their members’ vehicles.
Recall that the Senate Committee on Customs last week extended summon to the Customs Service boss, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd), for an interaction on the fuel supply situation in the border towns of Nigeria. This followed the recent directive by the Muhammadu Buhari administration for closure of the Nigeria border
The Senate had resolved midweek to engage the Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to work out a viable policy framework to mitigate the sufferings of communities along the nation’s borders due to suspension of petroleum supply to the areas.
The Service last week issued a directive suspending supply of petroleum products to fuel stations within 20 kilometers of Nigeria’s border as a measure to check smuggling of the products.
However, the Senate called for a steady supply of petroleum products through the identified suppliers and registered filling stations across all Nigeria’s border towns and communities as a temporary palliative measures.
The marketers who complained of the arrests vowed to resist the action, hinting that the Customs action may likely disrupt effective and efficient products distribution and sales not only along border communities but in most parts of Nigeria.
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