Smuggling: FG threatens to shut down filling stations in border towns
There are strong indications that the federal government, through the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDRA), may be considering shutting down filling stations located along access roads to neighbouring countries to end smuggling of petroleum products. It would be recalled that the federal government had in 2019 shut down over 400 filling stations […]
There are strong indications that the federal government, through the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDRA), may be considering shutting down filling stations located along access roads to neighbouring countries to end smuggling of petroleum products.
It would be recalled that the federal government had in 2019 shut down over 400 filling stations located 20 kilometres from the nation’s borders over the same issue.
The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Adewale Adeniyi, who dropped this hint at the weekend revealed that the Service has commenced the profiling of petrol stations located on access roads to the communities that share borders with neighbouring countries to check the smuggling of petroleum products.
Though Adeniyi hinted that the findings from the profiling of filling stations would be handed over to NMDRA for proper sanctioning, he added that anyone found to be involved in aiding the activities of smugglers will come under government harmer.
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The Nigeria Customs boss revealed that the stations found wanting will not only be shut down, but would automatically lose their operational licence.
The Comptroller General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, announced this while showcasing some seized PMS products at the Nigeria Customs Training School, in Ikeja Area of Lagos on Friday.
Represented at the event by the National Coordinator of Operation Whirlwind, Hussein Ejibunu, the CGC explained that the essence is to dictate moribund and active fuel stations in a bid to identify the ones used for smuggling.
“And that is the essence of why we have to identify filling stations that are close to the border, that are moribund, those ones that are active so that we will know those that Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority will give licence to,” Adeniyi said.
He stressed that fuel stations found wanting would be submitted to NMDRA for necessary actions.
“I have just mentioned that there are many and that those that were found guilty would be dealt with by NMDRA. It’s not for customs to do; we are not the ones who issued their license,” the CGC said.
Giving details on the seizure, Adeniyi highlighted that a total of 1,577 jerrycans of PMS 25 litres each, amounting to 39,425 litres, were seized, as well as eight vehicles used for conveyance.
“The duty paid value of the product stands at N39,425m and that of the means of conveyance stands at N24m, cumulatively amounting to 63,425m,” he said.