ABUJA/BAUCHI, Nov 12 (Reuters) - Fuel stations along
Nigeria's land borders have closed and prices have spiked after
customs authorities banned deliveries of petroleum products to
stations within 20 kilometres (12 miles) of the border in an
attempt to curb smuggling.
Border communities have complained about the move however,
prompting Nigeria's lower chamber of parliament on Tuesday to
call on the customs service to lift the indefinite ban.
Nigeria, Africa's top crude oil producer imports most of its
refined fuel due to the moribund state of its refineries. Some
10-20% of Nigerian fuel is then smuggled to neighbouring
countries, according to the Major Oil Marketers Association of
Nigeria, as gasoline is heavily subsidised in the country.
The Nigerian Customs Service issued the directive on 6
November. The country's land borders have been closed to trade
since late August. Several station owners in northwest Katsina state, which
borders Niger, told Reuters they had to close as a result of the
The lawmakers' motion said the order "has brought untold
hardship to the people of border communities. Prices have
sky-rocketed and movements have been crippled".
The motion, brought by Sada Soli, an All Progressives
Congress (APC) party member from Katsina state, called on the
customs agency to "review this directive with a human face".
Customs agency spokesman Joseph Attah declined to comment on
their motion.
President Muhammadu Buhari, leader of the APC, is from
Katsina state. His office declined to comment.