Nigeria Association of LPG Marketers Criticizes Nigeria Customs Service for Delay in Presidential Directive Implementation"

​By Gloria Ogbonna

Oladapo Olatunbosun, the National President of the Nigeria Association of LPG Marketers, criticized the Nigeria Customs Service for purportedly dragging its feet in executing the presidential directive on zero import duties for gas items and imported Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).

While commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for issuing the directive aimed at reducing the soaring price of LPG, Olatunbosun expressed dismay over the apparent reluctance of government agencies, particularly the Nigeria Customs Service, in implementing this timely intervention.

He highlighted that despite circulars from the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, urging the concerned agencies to act, the Nigeria Customs was yet to fully comply with the presidential directive.

Olatunbosun noted the adverse impact of this delay, pointing out that many members with imported items currently at the ports were incurring demurrage. Ultimately, these additional costs would burden end-users with higher prices, negating the intended goal of lowering LPG costs.

Expressing disappointment with the situation, Olatunbosun emphasized the need for agencies to align with government directives for the benefit of citizens. He urged President Tinubu to intervene and ensure Customs complies with the directive.

In response, the National Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Customs Service, Abdullahi Maiwada, clarified that the agency had received the directive from the Federal Minister of Finance and had issued circulars to state commands for implementation. 

However, he highlighted the requirement for an approval letter from the Special Adviser to the President on Energy to support items seeking the waivers mentioned in the directive.

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