(DDM) – The ongoing restriction on petroleum product distribution to border communities has sparked criticism from lawmakers in Ogun State, with calls for urgent review.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that Hon. Bisi Oyedele, popularly known as Citiside, representing Ipokia/Idiroko Constituency in the Ogun State House of Assembly, has formally appealed to President Bola Tinubu to lift the ban affecting communities within 20 kilometres of Nigeria’s borders.
According to Oyedele, the ban has significantly disrupted the daily lives of residents and traders in border towns, who rely on accessible fuel supply for transportation, farming, and commerce.
He warned that continued enforcement of the restriction could exacerbate economic hardship and social tension in these areas.
The lawmaker emphasized that border communities play a critical role in regional trade and national security.
He urged the federal government to consider alternative measures that would secure Nigeria’s borders without punishing law-abiding citizens.
Oyedele’s appeal also highlighted the risks of the ban encouraging fuel smuggling and informal distribution networks, which could undermine government regulation and tax revenue.
He called for a balanced approach that safeguards national interests while protecting livelihoods.
The Ogun State lawmaker noted that lifting the restriction would not only improve economic activity but also enhance goodwill between border residents and federal authorities.
No official response from the Presidency has been issued yet, but political observers say the issue is likely to generate debate in the National Assembly and among policy stakeholders.
Residents in border communities, according to DDM reports, have expressed relief over Oyedele’s intervention, stressing that fuel scarcity has severely impacted transportation, education, and local markets.
The lawmaker’s plea adds to growing calls from civil society and local leaders for more pragmatic policies addressing fuel distribution while maintaining national security.
Experts suggest that reviewing the policy could allow regulated supply chains to function, reduce black-market activities, and foster economic stability in the border regions.
The move by Hon. Oyedele underscores the tensions between national security objectives and community welfare, highlighting the need for policies that balance enforcement with human and economic considerations.
