Customs Auction Seized PMS To Public @ N6,30 Per Litre In Adamawa

Customs auction seized PMS to public @ N630 per litre in Adamawa

From Umar Dankano, Yola.

The Whirlwind operation wing of the Nigeria Customs Service has auctioned off Ninety four thousand,five hundred and fifty (94,550) litres of seized petroleum motor spirit (PMS) valued at N155,157,560 to interested members of the public in Yola, Adamawa state capital.

Out of the seized petroleum motor spirit, PMS products 33,000 litres each were sold to buyers at two(2) filing stations including Gawi oil Nigeria Ltd and Oilpad Global services Ltd in Yola totally 66,000 litres at an auctioned price of N630 per litre.

Launching the sale exercise at Oil pad Global services Ltd filing station opposite Yola Airport Wednesday, the Comptroller General of the Customs,CGC, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi said that the auction was done in accordance with section 119 of the Nigeria Customs Act 2023 which empowers the service to sale the PMS product to interested members of the public.

Represented by the Deputy Comptroller General in charge of Enforcement, investigation and Inspection.DCG Olaniyi Olagunji.Adeniyi warned smugglers to desist from smuggling activities saying that the ongoing operations in curbing illegal exportation of petroleum products have come to stay.

Earlier at a press conference at the Adamawa/Taraba Area Customs Command, DCG Olagunji stated that operation whirlwind in collaboration with the office of the National Security Adviser,NSA.Mal.Nuhu Ribadu has been working assiduously to ensure petroleum products smuggling is reduce if not eradicated in the country.

“We are actively implementing strategies and results are evident in our recent seizures.The commitment shown by all stakeholders reinforces our resolve and enhances our capacity to combat this national challenge effectively.

“I therefore urge all stakeholders to continue support our efforts for more success which requires the collective action of law enforcement agencies, Community leaders and citizens.

“We call on all the residents of Adamawa and other border states to support this operation as your vigilance and cooperation are crucial in our collective effort to safeguard our nation’s resources and ensure that the benefits of fuel price deregulation are fully realized by all Nigerians”, Olagunji stated.

In his good will message, State Coordinator of the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Agency, NMDPRA.Muhammad Bashir Kafur advised the petroleum products marketers to stop acts of diversion which he said attract grave sanctions.

Bashir Kafur chided unrepentant marketers that their activities for petroleum products businesses are being monitored by his Agency noting that any changes in destination for petroleum products movement must get approval from his Agency or face sanction including license seizure.

In his remarks, the Adamawa/Taraba Area Comptroller Customs, Bashir Garba Bature stressed that condemned PMS being sold to interested members of public in Yola was as a result of court order secured by the Customs.

Comptroller Bature attested that many suspects have been apprehended facing prosecution advancing that the fight against smuggling activities is totally in the good interest of all Nigerians.

Motorists and tricycle riders on the queues at the two filing stations commended the effort of the Customs in handling the seized petroleum products through auction to the public.