From FRED ITUA, Abuja
The Senate, on Wednesday, unanimously rejected the Federal Government’s ban on the importation of vehicles through the land borders in the country. It described the policy as ‘anti-people and meant to further impoverish Nigerians.’
Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided, specifically urged President Muhammadu Buhari to listen to the cries of Nigerians and rescind the decision.
Ekweremadu noted: “From the contributions made, it is obvious that the policy is unpopular. We are representatives of the people and the people have spoken through us that they do not want this policy. I think those in government should listen to them.”
Adopting two of the three prayers, the Senate called on the Customs Service to immediately suspend further action on its policy of an outright ban on the importation of vehicles through our land borders as from 1st January, 2017.
The Senate Committee on Customs and Excise was mandated to investigate the circumstances that led to the sudden decision of the Federal Government on the issue of the importation of vehicles through the land borders.
Sponsor of the motion, Senator Barau Jibrin from Kano State, explained that the ban would lead to the loss of about 500,000 jobs by the people engaged in the business of vehicle importation and handling services in the border areas and around the country.