The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Hammed Ali has disclosed that Nigeria has been subsidising fuel for neighbouring countries.
This shocking revelation was made by the Customs Boss while appearing before a house of representatives committee on budget-defence on Tuesday, November 12.
When the Customs Boss was asked why did Customs stop the supply of fuel to border communities, Hammed Ali revealed that the subsidized fuel is taken to neighbouring countries where it is sold at exorbitant amounts.
“They get approval to discharge the product legitimately in the day but at night, siphon it out. This has been going on for a long time,” he said.
“Now, we have restricted supply to 20km before the border. Let’s monitor the outflow. We want to know where the outflow is coming from, he further added.
“Petrol is sold at N395/litre but they buy from Nigeria at less than N145/litre.
“With this border closure, it has jumped to N600/litre. Meaning, we are the one subsidising petrol for neighbouring countries. So, marketers are making a kill. It’s attractive to take petrol out and sell there.
However, the House Committee have directed the Nigeria Customs Service to lift the fuel supply ban on border communities as it has left Nigerians residing in such communities in a sad state.