The Federal government policy on suspension of petroleum within 20 kilometer to border area has led to scarcity of petroleum in Idiroko border, Ipokia Local Government, Ogun State
Resident living in this areas has displayed their frustration and make their dismay know the government, as they are suffering because of the policy and it has affected the financial economic in this area. Due to the checking point and stop and check by the police and the custom officers at Ajilete along Idiroko road that lead to border. This has affected the free flow of vehicles, before this policy was implemented, the road has never for once be so busy and the heavy traffic people now encounter on the road has not from hitherto be as it is now.
The people of Idiroko also laments that the Federal government order on the suspension has aggravate and further trigger scarcity in the are and the price of petroleum from the initial approved pump price. Thus, it has also affected the price of virtually everything in the community as petroleum determine most in our day to day activities, like, vehicles, generators, bike and those that used it in their organization.
Apparently, petroleum filling stations from Ihunbo, Ilase, Ajegunle and Idiroko among others has been folded up due to the government order and directive on suspension of petroleum within 20 kilometer away from border in this area, Idiroko, There is no electricity, the only means by which people have is to use generators and to get fuel they will have to travel to Owode or Ajilete in order to get fuel for their use, while they are struggling to get the fuel, the customs and the police has not been friendly to this people on the road, they seize the fuel from them mostly with the saying of they are buying it for smuggling purpose.
According to the public relation officer, Nigeria Custom Service Ogun State Command, Mr. Abdullahi Maiwda he said, “suspension of supply of petroleum from 20 kilometer away from the border, we receive a directive and as a loyal servant we have to implement it, but first, we need to engage, that is, let us persuade the public and tell them why the government direct us to work on this”.
"We engage the marketers of petroleum and we sensitize them, and also had a meeting with the traditional rulers along the border area in Ogun State, we discuss with them and some member of the community”
Moreover, this problems encounter by the resident in this areas has led to the people to called on the government for a redress of the policy and of course, it has made most people homeless because they want to buy the fuel in excess as they don't have access to it like before, this has lead to a situation whereby many houses are been burnt.
“We want the government to temper justice on us in Idiroko border, if we are the problem to the government, they should come and mount their checkpoint here, where they can be arresting them (those that are buying the petro for smuggling purpose) and allow our people to be buying and selling” says the Oniko of Ikolaje Idiroko, Oba John Olakunle Ojo.
Obviously, land border in Nigeria are very porous and there are many route one can pass through and get to his/her destination and the only solution to this and smuggling activities in this area is to man security personnel in those affected area not by suspending petroleum from entering community close to border by 20 kilometer, succinctly, why would we have to decimate a section, clamming it is for the betterment of the whole of course, resident living in Idiroko area are suffering immensely from this policy and it has destroyed many things in this area. After going through a lot of stress before getting petrol in this area, the people has call on the government to temper justice with mercy and allow petroleum to enter their community.
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