Marketers of petroleum products have condemned the Federal Government’s selective reopening of filling stations in border communities, saying the act will promote profiteering and monopoly.

In 2019, the former President Muhammadu Buhari administration banned the supply of fuel in filling stations within 20km of the borders with neighbouring countries.

Since then, over 400 filling stations belonging to independent marketers have been rendered useless despite the cost of investment.

Our correspondent learned that the Federal Government granted waivers to a few filling stations to resume the sale of petrol in some local governments.

According to a statement by the lawmaker representing Yewa North and Imeko/Afon Federal Constituency in Ogun State, Gboyega Isiaka, he lauded President Bola Tinubu for lifting restrictions on the sales and supply of petroleum products to communities that are within 20km of the country’s border with the Republic of Benin.

Isiaka said that though the lifting of the sanction imposed six years ago under Buhari would only allow five filling stations to operate among four border towns, including Imeko, Ilara, Oja Odan, and Ihunbe, the magnanimity of President Tinubu had brought lots of relief to the residents of the federal constituency.

However, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria said it was illegal to ban the supply of energy to fellow Nigerians because they have their communities in border areas.

IPMAN spokesman, Chinedu Ukadike, stressed that the ban is against the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act, which ordered the supply of fuel to all Nigerians regardless of their location.

“It is an aberration to our licences that were given to us by the NMDPRA. The government licensed these fueling stations, and the marketers have spent billions of naira to build these filling stations around these border areas, which are also occupied by Nigerians. Fundamentally, their rights have been breached by not allowing them to receive the same fuel supply as other citizens.

“Living in a bordering state should not deny anyone access to the petroleum product supply. What we should do is to make sure security operatives secure the borders and ensure that petroleum products are given adequate accessibility, both in the border communities and inland communities.

“It is only when products are out of the border that you can talk about that. But the products are still within. So, why don’t you allow them? Those border members are also in Nigerian territory,” he said.

The IPMAN leader added, “The PIA clearly stated that petroleum products shall be sold within the territory of Nigeria. And it is an Act of the Federal Government that should be implemented. So, stopping fuel supply to the border communities is very illegal.”

Ukadike warned against profiteering.

“Those filling stations that have been given opportunities to sell petroleum products will put petroleum products at the prices they like, thereby exploiting people. Now, the factors of demand and supply have come into play in our border communities.

“People don’t have choices. They must buy from the only available fuel station in their communities. It will encourage profiteering, unnecessary hardship, and inflation of goods and services around the border areas,” he stated.

Meanwhile, the federal lawmaker explained that the lifting of the restriction was a result of his engagements with critical stakeholders, including the Nigeria Customs Service, and other security agencies, as well as his plea for the reversal of the policy on the floor of the House of Representatives.

Isiaka said that the policy had imposed severe economic hardship on already vulnerable populations, significantly increasing transportation costs, hampering local businesses, and further marginalising the border communities.

Isiaka has, however, called on all fuel station operators and residents to act responsibly and strictly within the confines of the law.

Let us ensure that this renewed trust is not misplaced, even as we continue to advocate for the complete reopening of our borders in a manner that balances national security with local prosperity,” he said.