Kano threatens sanction on fuel hoarders

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Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission has threatened to prosecute any filling station that attempts to hoard petroleum products in the state.

It has secured a court warrant to search any petroleum station found not dispensing product to ascertain whether or not such marketer is deliberately hoarding the product.

Hoarding, in general term, is a crime under the provisions of Regulation 11 (2) (3) and (4) of the Kano State Public Health (Infectious Disease) Regulations 2020. Section 39 of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti Corruption Law 2008 empowers the agency to investigate and prosecute any station found wanting.

Addressing journalists yesterday shortly after inspecting some stations in Kano metropolis, executive chairman of the commission, Muhuyi Gado, disclosed that about 20 petrol stations found hoarding products had been summoned for investigation.

He lamented that the agency would not allow any unpatriotic marketer to create artificial scarcity and inflict hardship on residents through hoarding.

Leading the Operational Department of the Anti-Graft Agency and other stakeholders, he said the move became imperative following series of public outcry on the situation.

He said: “The commission has obtained court order for appropriate permission to embark on the exercise. But to our dismay, the team has found most of the filling stations visited hoarding the products and creating anxiety.

“The commission is embarking on this special operations with National Human Right Commission (NHRC). I can assure you that this operation will continue until we are satisfied that no marketer hoarded fuel in Kano. Those found have been invited and necessary action will be taken against them.”

The team visited over 20 filling stations at Tarauni, Maiduguri road, Western By-pass and Hadejia road.Meanwhile, some filing stations were dispensing Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) at N170 per litre in the metropolis, just as long queues continue to grow in several stations visited.

While many marketers closed down business due to anxiety of possible hike in the price of the product, it was learnt that many stations opened for business in the night to sell at prices above the official rate.

Chairman of Independent Petroleum Marketers of Nigeria (IPMAN), Kano zone, Bashir Dan-Mallam, was not available to respond to inquiry till press time.