The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has
suspended the supply of petroleum products to filling stations within 20
kilometres of all the nation’s borders.
suspended the supply of petroleum products to filling stations within 20
kilometres of all the nation’s borders.
The NCS made this known in a circular
signed by its Deputy Comptroller-General, Enforcement, Inspection and
Investigation (EII), Chidi Augustine in Abuja on Thursday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
reports that the circular was addressed to all Zonal Coordinators, Operation
Swift Response, Sector Coordinator 1, 2, 3 and 4.
reports that the circular was addressed to all Zonal Coordinators, Operation
Swift Response, Sector Coordinator 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Others are Customs Area Comptrollers,
Coordinators CCG Strike Force Teams, Coordinator, Headquarters Strike Force
Team, and All Marine Commands.
Coordinators CCG Strike Force Teams, Coordinator, Headquarters Strike Force
Team, and All Marine Commands.
“The Comptroller-General of Customs
has directed that henceforth, no petroleum product no matter the tank size is
permitted to be discharged in any filling station within 20 kilometres to the
border. “Consequently, you are all to ensure strict compliance please,’’ part
of the circular read.
has directed that henceforth, no petroleum product no matter the tank size is
permitted to be discharged in any filling station within 20 kilometres to the
border. “Consequently, you are all to ensure strict compliance please,’’ part
of the circular read.
The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of
the service, Mr Joseph Attah, said the directive was to check proliferation of
petroleum products smuggling to some neighbouring countries.
the service, Mr Joseph Attah, said the directive was to check proliferation of
petroleum products smuggling to some neighbouring countries.
NAN reports that in April, the NCS,
Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Department for Petroleum
Resources (DPR) met and resolved to set up joint committee to address smuggling
of petroleum products to neighbouring countries.
Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and Department for Petroleum
Resources (DPR) met and resolved to set up joint committee to address smuggling
of petroleum products to neighbouring countries.
The Comptroller-General of Customs, Col.
Hameed Ali (rtd) said the meeting was to address the disturbing situation of
smuggling of petroleum products outside the country.
Hameed Ali (rtd) said the meeting was to address the disturbing situation of
smuggling of petroleum products outside the country.
Ali disclosed that after briefing by
the heads of NNPC and DPR, they resolved to set up a joint task force
comprising Customs, DPR and NNPC to tackle the problem head on.
the heads of NNPC and DPR, they resolved to set up a joint task force
comprising Customs, DPR and NNPC to tackle the problem head on.
He explained that some unlicensed
filling stations along the borderline had been identified as being responsible
for the smuggling of petroleum products.
filling stations along the borderline had been identified as being responsible
for the smuggling of petroleum products.
According to him, the task-force will
ensure the closure of such unlicensed filling stations as well as address other
means used to smuggle petroleum products.
ensure the closure of such unlicensed filling stations as well as address other
means used to smuggle petroleum products.
He said that with the collaboration,
licensed filling stations sited along the borders would also be monitored.
licensed filling stations sited along the borders would also be monitored.
“This collaboration is important, we
have the force but we need intelligence and information sharing to deal with
this menace, we need a real time intelligence to nip this in the bud.
have the force but we need intelligence and information sharing to deal with
this menace, we need a real time intelligence to nip this in the bud.
“We have 4,070 kilometres borders and
it has been a challenge managing these borders effectively, and this
underscored the need for us to collaborate with agencies like NNPC and DPR,’’
Ali explained. (NAN)
it has been a challenge managing these borders effectively, and this
underscored the need for us to collaborate with agencies like NNPC and DPR,’’
Ali explained. (NAN)
