The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) in Kwara state has distributed petrol that was being hoarded by petrol stations to motorists and motorcyclists free of charge.
Minister of State for Petroleum, Ibe Kachikwu, had last week given a directive that any petrol station found guilty of hoarding, should be sealed or punished by seizure.
The affected petrol stations are: Alkad and Sons Nigeria Limited, which is located in Ilorin, was caught hoarding 2300 litres of petrol and Nasmut Nigeria Limited, in Asa LGA.
The DPR team headed by Operation Controlle, Salvation Philip, dug up the station’s stock and discovered fuel after the station had told buyers they had run out.
“We are out for surveillance because of the situation on ground and we want to make sure that the fuel that comes in is distributed to commuters.
When we got to this place (Alkad), we dug and discovered that they (management of the station) were hoarding 2300 litres of fuel. So, we are simply enforcing the ministerial directive.”
“We are giving the fuel free to fellow Nigerians that need it. It is a critical time we have to utilize what is available.
This is the second station so far we caught hoarding. We want to use this to send a very strong warning to all marketers that anybody caught hoarding, diverting or flouting petroleum laws and regulations would be made to face the law.”
“So, we are not joking about it. Let this serve as a deterrent to all intending hoarders of petroleum products. The situation is critical. We want to make sure that what is available is utilized. Any violation would not be tolerated by the Department of Petroleum Resources, especially here in Kwara State.”
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