By Olusegun Folarin
Residents of border communities have renewed their call on the need for the Federal Government to lift the ban on the sales of petroleum products around the border areas as part of palliatives to reduce the harsh economic effects of subsidy removal.
They made the the call at Idi- Iroko, Ogun State, at a forum organized by the Youths of Ipokia Local Government, in collaboration with the Ogun Area – One Command of the Nigeria Customs Service to mark the Country’s Independence Anniversary.
They also called for a reduction in the statutory customs duties and Tarriff on Imported products and ensuring technology – driven security measures to enhance safety and facilitate legitimate trade across international borders.
The Guest Speaker and a University lecturer, Mr Kehinde Bamiwole, while making a presentation on the theme, “Smuggling and Hoarding of Petroleum Products: Effects on Border Communities and National Security” said the removal of fuel subsidy had put an end to hoarding and smuggling of petroleum products at the border areas.
Mr Bamiwole lamented that major business owners in Idi-Iroko and environs were traveling long distances to get fuel at exorbitant rates and pleaded that the ban on the sales of petroleum products within 20 kilometers to the border line should be lifted in the interest of the people who were paying through the nose, for goods and services.
Earlier, the Acting Customs Area Controller, Mr Ahmadu Shuaibu, represented by a Deputy Controller, Mr Charles Ogunesan had solicited more support from the border communities, describing the forum as an avenue to educate residents on the adverse effects of smuggling on national growth.
He expressed sadness that war against smuggling had led to loss of lives among Customs operatives and among the residents, noting that the huge amount of money realized from seizures recorded by the command could also be well utilized for legitimate trade to improve the people’s status and the state’s economy.
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