DPR seals 12 filling stations in Borno, Yobe

The North-East Operations Comptroller, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Idris Ali Zoaka, has accused said that some independent oil marketers and motorist of abetting fuel “hoarding and price hike” in Borno and Yobe states.

Zoaka disclosed this in Maiduguri, Borno, while speaking on the current fuel situations in Maiduguri and Damaturu metropolises.
He urged motorists and members of the general public to cooperate with DPR personnel by providing credible information on the current fuel situation.

“This will enable the DPR take the necessary action to improve the supply and distribution of fuel, which is gradually increasing, compared to last week’s 69 trucks of petrol and diesel to the two states,” he said.

He explained that abetting fuel hoarding and price hike include hiding the truth from DPR supervisors and monitors on fuel situations in Maiduguri and Damaturu metropolises and other towns.

Zoaka also blamed some motorists and members of public of compounding the fuel situation, saying: “Normally, if we go out to the filling stations, their managers and fuel attendants will tell you that they are selling at the official pump price of N145 a litre; which is not true.

“You try sampling from the buyers; some of them will not tell you the truth. They will tell you, it is N145 per litre. And it is not true. But what we are trying to tell members of the public that it is the duty of every individual to tell the truth about the current fuel situation.

“I always tell people; please come out and tell us the correct official pump price of fuel sold at various filling stations in Borno and Yobe states.”

He said the people should not cover up the official pump price to DPR personnel, while marketers continue to either hoard or sell above official pump price of N145 a litre.

He further disclosed that 12 erring fuel stations had been sealed for “hoarding and selling fuel above the official pump price,” adding that the penalty for hoarding and selling fuel above official price are; N100,000 per pump used in dispensing fuel to motorists, and N200 for each litre fuel hoarded.

He however noted that the defaulting filling stations are allowed to sell the hoarded fuel to prevent further fuel scarcity, noting that the fine of N100,000 would be paid into the Treasury Singe Account (TSA), before the erring fuel stations resumes sell of petroleum products.