The House of Representatives member for Yewa North/Imeko-Afon Federal Constituency, Hon. Gboyega Isiaka, has praised President Bola Tinubu for lifting the six-year ban on the sales and supply of petroleum products to Nigerian communities within 20 kilometres of the Benin Republic border.
In a statement issued Monday by his media aide, Femi Peters, Isiaka said the policy reversal, although limited to just five petrol stations across four border towns—Imeko, Ilara, Oja Odan, and Ohunbe—has brought significant relief to long-suffering residents.
The restriction, imposed during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, was aimed at curbing fuel smuggling but resulted in severe hardship for border communities. According to Isiaka, the policy dramatically increased transportation costs, stifled small businesses, and worsened economic marginalisation.
The lawmaker credited the breakthrough to sustained advocacy, including multiple engagements with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), security agencies, and a formal appeal on the floor of the House of Representatives.
One of the key efforts, he revealed, was his participation in a fact-finding oversight visit on April 9, 2025, with the House Committee on Customs and Excise. The delegation visited the NCS Ogun 1 Area Command in Idiroko and other formations within Zone A to assess the policy’s impact on border residents.
“Today, we are proud to announce that normalcy is gradually returning to our border communities,” Isiaka stated. “Thanks to sustained engagement and the listening ears of leaders at the highest level, five petrol stations—two in Imeko, and one each in Ilara, Oja Odan, and Ohunbe—have now been granted permission to resume fuel sales.”
He described the decision not just as a policy change but a symbol of restored dignity and economic justice for marginalized citizens.
Isiaka extended his gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for the gesture and to the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for his role in facilitating the approval.
While celebrating the win, Isiaka urged fuel station operators and residents to act responsibly, warning that compliance with the law is crucial to maintaining the newly restored trust.
“Let us ensure that this renewed trust is not misplaced,” he said. “We continue to advocate for the complete reopening of our borders in a way that safeguards national security while promoting local prosperity.”
