Smuggling: Customs seizes, auctions 55,164 litres of petrol in Sokoto
The Nigeria Custom Services, Sokoto, Zamfara states Area Command has
Wednesday seized and auctioned 55,164 litres of petroleum product to members of the public.
Speaking while declaring the sales of the intercepted products, the Area Comptroller, Alhaji Kamal Mohammed, said the command is ever ready to clampdown on the smugglers operating within the command’s area of jurisdiction.
He gave out the breakdown of the seizures which he said the intelligence driven tactical team code named, ‘operation whirlwind’ made seizure of 28,116 litres while Sokoto/ Zamfara area command intercepted 23,030 litres.
Mr Kamal noted that despite the subsidy removal, Nigerian petrol is much cheaper, adding that the PMS price margin between Nigeria and other West African countries has made the smuggling of the product much profitable.
Mr Kamal also noted that the price of product in Nigeria has made the business lucrative one and made many people to venture into it.
He said the PSM in Nigeria is still sales at N 701,99 kobo while in some neighboring countries is sold between N2000 and above.
He said smuggling of the product has continued to create artificial scarcity in some part of the country and brought about additional burden to the populace.
“Due to the intensified clamp down of smugglers of petroleum product, the service made a seizure of 55,164 liters of PMS with a duty paid value (DPV) of N38,669,964.00 within the period under review.
“Even with the subsidy removal, Nigeria still remains among the list of countries with the cheapest Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
“PMS is sold at an average of N701.99k per liter in the country while in Cameroon it is sold at N2,061.55k, Mali is N2,128.20k and N1,672.05k in the Republic of Benin.
“PMS price margin between Nigeria and other West Africa Countries has made smuggling of the product an easy profit making venture for smugglers as it fetches them two or three times its domestic price,” the Comptroller stated.
Mr Kamal said that In line with extant laws and the approval of the Comptroller General of Customs Bashir Adewale Adeniyi,the seized liters of PMS was auctioned to the general public at a token of N180 per liter.
He said that the command will continue to protect Nigeria’s economic interest with dedication, justice and integrity.
He said that the Comptroller General of Customs Mr Bashir Adewale has send message of warning to the smugglers that “Nigeria Customs Service will run you out of your illegitimate business”.
Mr Kamal, however, thanked the Nigerian press for their usual support and cooperation to the command saying “the service appreciate your support in its efforts toward upholding the rule of law and protecting the interest of the nation”, the area Comptroller stated.
SOURCE: Blueprint
