The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has warned
filling stations in Osun State against
hoarding of petrol and selling above official price.
DPR’s Operations
Controller in Osogbo, Mr Ademola Makinde, gave the warning during a visit by
the management team of the department to the palace of Oba Akinola Akinrera, in
Ifetedo, Osun. Makinde, who noted that the warning became necessary as the year
was coming to an end, said sanctions await filling stations found compromising
the dispensing process. The Operations Controller said that any filling station
discovered hoarding petroleum would also be penalised in line with the laws and
operational guidelines. Makinde said the department had constituted effective
monitoring teams to ensure that filling stations sell at the official price and
do not adjust nor hoard the product. He said DPR would continue to engage and
educate Independent marketers on the need to conform to the laws and
operational guidelines. “You know the year is winding up gradually and many of
our Independent Marketers are in the habit of hoarding fuel to create
artificial scarcity, while some sell above the regulated price.
“But this time around, any filing station caught in that act
will not be spared and that is why we are appealing to them not to engage in
such activities because our surveillance team will be up and doing,” Makinde
said.
The controller said the DPR management decided to visit the
monarch because the support of traditional rulers in the fight against fuel
hoarding and price hike at filling stations across the state could not be
over-emphasised. According to him, since traditional rulers have a positive
influence on their subjects, including those in the oil and gas business, their
support in educating them on the need to be upright is, therefore, very
important. In his remarks, Oba Akinrera commended the management team of the
department for the visit. The monarch said he would continue to support DPR in
achieving its goals and mandate being a former employee of NNPC. Oba Akinrera,
however, called for more developmental projects by the government at the
grassroots. He also urged the youths to brace up to take charge of leadership
position in the country.
- Media Report