Residents of Ibadan metropolis have lauded the synergy between Oyo State Government and Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Oyo State Office which led to the sealing of seven filling stations.
Among the filling stations sealed were Kesbash Oil Nigeria Limited, SWORT Oil & Gas, Oduwoye Global Services Ltd, JOSFRAD International Venture, ROYLAB International Venture and BALEY Nigeria Limited
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the filling stations were sealed by a Joint Task Force of DPR, Oyo State Government and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
NAN reports that the team had gone round the metropolis to enforce the N145 per litre pump price as well as check hoarding of the products.
Mr Sadiq Ibrahim, the Deputy Controller, DPR, Oyo State Office told newsmen that the essence of the monitoring exercise was to check the hoarding of the product and hike in the price.
Ibrahim stated that some of the filling stations caught hoarding the product and selling above pump price during the monitoring exercise would be sanctioned.
“Those filling stations caught hoarding the product would be charged for hoarding, while those who are selling above pump price would also be sanctioned.
“This is because government has not increased pump price. What we have been able to do is to compel those hoarding to sell to the public at pump price and later seal them,’’ he said.
Mr Abidemi Shiyanbade, Special Adviser on Community Relations told newsmen that Gov. Abiola Ajimobi had directed the constitution of the task force to check the hardship faced by residents in getting the product.
“The governor has directed that the task force check for marketers hoarding the product and those selling it above the pump price. “What we have discovered is that some of the have and not selling, while some are selling above pump prices in the night.
“ The synergy with DPR is to check their dump and force those who have it to sell at stipulated pump prices to the public.
“We will not stop on the exercise until the marketers comply with the regulations. We won’t not allow people take laws into their hands,’’ he said.
Mr Toye Arulogun, the State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism as well as Mr Fatai Salau, the State Commissioner for Liaison Affairs and Special Duties also corroborated Shiyanbade’s claim.
Arulogun and Salau who were also on the monitoring team said that the effort of the government was to ensure residents get the product and at government stipulated price.
NAN reports that residents of the areas visited across the metropolis have lauded the state government for the initiative, saying that their efforts would go a long way in alleviating the hardship.
Mr Awoniyi Babatunde lamented the sufferings faced by the people in the hands of petroleum
marketers.
“This is a great mess and we can’t continue like this. Our people cannot continue to blame the government on the issue but face the reality.
“Some marketers are just too wicked. We thank the Oyo State Government on this enforcement,’’ he said.(NAN)