BORDER CLOSURE: Fuel Scarcity Hit Kwara State As Compt Garba Uba Resumes At Sector 3

Following the closure of the Nigerian land borders by the Nigeria Customs Service August, 2019 and the subsequent ban on transportation of fuel across borders, communities in Kwara State have raised an alarm of biting fuel scarcity.

This is even as rhe Anti-Smuggling Czar, Comptroller Mohammed Uba Garba was recently posted to Joint Border Operations Drill, North Central Zone, Sector, 3 Ilorin, Kwara State.

According to a statement sent to our correspondent by the Kwara State Command Spokesman, Chado Zakari, Compt Uba took over from ACG Aminu Dahiru and he has since assumed duty.

While paying a Courtesy visit to the Coordinators’ office, Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Hon. Salihu Yakubu Danladi in company of Chairman House Committee on Education and Human Capital Development, Hon. Mohammed Baba expressed concerns over the fuel scarcity presently being faced by the four district of Baruten Local government area of the State namely; Ilesha, Baruba-Okuta-Chikanda.

He appealed to the Sector Coordinator to reconsider the decision of fuel supply 20km to border communities, as a liter of Petrol is being sold between 250-300 Naira.

He said the decision is taking a toll on his people and the hardship is gradually becoming unbearable.

Compt. Mohammed Uba Garba expressed satisfaction at the Speaker taking the bull by the horn, and for coming forward to chart a way forward for his people.

He described the lawmaker a great leader who is concerned about his people.

He however said that the partial border closure was not to witch-hunt or obstructs any legal businesses nor any community but to prevent illegal exportation of Petroleum Products, encourage local farmers, control the inflow of arms and ammunition, illicit drugs and all other prohibited goods into Nigeria and to also enable the neighboring countries obey the ECOWAS protocol

The Compt. Who is posted from Seme Area Command to Sector Three 3 said that Nigeria Customs service is just an implementer of Federal Government policies and advised that the State Government should channel their grievances through the appropriate quarters.

Comptroller Uba Garba assured that he would soon be visiting the Border Communities and that during the visit, he would use the opportunity to meet with those who are into legitimate businesses.