By Ahmad Umar
Gombe (Nigeria) – Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) in Gombe State, northeast of the country, has sealed 6 filling stations for involvement in sharp practices, including selling fuel above pump price and diversion of the product.
Nigerians are currently experiencing scarcity in supply of petrol, which is used in fuelling most cars in the country. Majority of filling stations in the country are not selling the products, where they have, they are characterised with long queues.
DPR Operations Controller in the State, Abdullahi Abawa disclosed this while speaking with Journalists in Gombe on Thursday.
He said that One of the filling stations Tukur Dahiru Mohammed Nigeria Limited in Billiri was sealed for diverting 26, 000 litres of petrol and selling above pump price at 210.
Other stations sealed are Mubbis General Merchant in Akko Local Government Area of the state for selling above pump price, at 210 and directed the marketers to report at DPR office.
At the AYM filling station located at Yarima Quarters area of Gombe, DPR officials forced the marketer to adjust their pump price from N210 to the official rate of N145.
The officials further directed the manager of other filling station to sell the entire product in storage to the public before sealing the station.
He said the department has embarked on an operation to regulate the activities of fuel dispensation in order to reduce hardships faced by commuters due to fuel scarcity.
Abawa said it is the responsibility of DPR to regulate activities in the oil business particularly with the current scarcity of fuel across the country.
‘’We had to force some filling stations to open and direct the sale of products to the public,‘’ he said.
He blamed oil marketers for the predominant fuel scarcity as the marketers do not help matters through product diversion as well as selling above pump price.
“The situation is becoming worse because oil marketers are not cooperating, difficult and inconsiderate.
‘’Why would anybody like to inflict hardships on fellow citizens” he said.
He said that his office would not fold its arms and “allow impunity to continue with recklessness.”
The controller added that the department would look into the issues leading to the sealing of the filling stations with a view to enforcing appropriate sanctions.
Motorists in Gombe commended the DPR for embarking on the operation to regulate the sale of fuel, adding that most marketers were exploiting consumers by jerking up the pump price to as high as N210 per litre
Commuters also commended the DPR for embarking on the operation to regulate the sale of fuel, adding that most marketers were exploiting consumers by jerking up the pump price to as high as N300 per litre.
One of the motorists at a filling station remarks “It’s now that we know something is being done to address the biting fuel scarcity. We pray that you succeed in your endeavors.”