The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has begun sale of confiscated N155, 157,560 worth of Premium Motor Spirit (popularly known as petrol) at a subsidised rate to the public in Adamawa State. 
 
The Comptroller-General, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, who flagged off the exercise at two filling stations in Yola, said the measure was to end smuggling, which he described as bane to the country’s economic prosperity. 
 
Represented by the Deputy Comptroller of Customs in charge of Reinforcement, Inspections and Investigation, Olaniyi Olajogun, the Comptroller-General explained that the seizure of 94,550 litres of petrol was affected by the Petroleum Products Anti-Smuggling Team code-named Operation Whirlwind, an arm of the Service at different locations within the state.
 
He stated that the product would be sold to the public at N630 per litre, as against the prevailing N1030 per litre at filling stations. Adeniyi added that the move was in accordance with Section 119 of the Nigeria Customs Act 2023, stating: “This auction is open to all interested members of the public.”  He disclosed that a suspect had been apprehended in connection with the nefarious act, and would be charged to court soon.

MEANWHILE, the Kwara State government has purchased 100 electric motorcycles to cushion effect of the fuel subsidy removal on public transportation. The Commissioner for Works and Transports, AbdulQowiy Olododo, at the quarterly inter-ministerial press briefing yesterday in Ilorin, said the state government was working round the clock to bring succour to the masses.
 
Represented by the Director of Civil Engineering, Akanbi Mashood, the commissioner disclosed that the state was awaiting delivery of 100 electric motorcycles, purchased after the launch of a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion workshop and gas station. 
 
“Kwara State has been able to commission a CNG conversion workshop and gas station, the first of its kind in the country, in line with the Presidential initiative on CNG to mitigate impact of the fuel subsidy removal,” he said.