No More The Importation of 'I Pass My Neighbour' generators- FG

The Federal Government has prohibited the importation of
small generators popularly called 'I pass my neighbour,'
used mostly by low-income Nigerians. This is coming from the
Controller, Federation Operations Unit Zone A, Lagos of the
Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Mr Madugu Sanni Jubrin, who
disclosed this in Lagos while speaking with newsmen.
Sanni also said that the command seized 4,733 goods worth
N52 million and arrested some suspected smugglers since
he assumed duties one week ago.
He said the seizures were made possible through
intelligence gathering and other measures put in place by
the unit with a view to ensuring that the supply chains of
smugglers were fully blocked. In his own words he said:

“The smaller generators have been banned by the Federal
Government because it is causing air pollution and
destruction of our lungs and breathing system. That is why
they have banned it but people are still interested in
smuggling them in, that is why we intercepted them.

“If you go to the market, you still see them because
people have imported them before the ban. So it is
the leftover they had before the ban that they are
selling because the law did not backdate the ban and
it is not an absolute prohibition.

“It is prohibition by trade which means you cannot
bring it in large quantity and sell to the public. That
is the type of prohibition we have on this but if you
buy one piece, Customs will not seize it.

“We will not relent in our efforts. When we see any
prohibited item, we will seize, arrest the people and
we will allow the law court to take decision on
prosecuting them. So it is better for them to stop
smuggling than to continue when they know
Customs will catch up with them,” he said.

OPINION: Now that the Federal Government has banned importation of 'I pass my neighbour,' importation of Tokumbo cars, and fairly used cloths popularly known as 'Okirika cloth'. Can they balance the equation by banning the importation of fairly used air crafts?