Again, DPR sells fuel for free in Ogun

The Surveillance Team of the Department of Petroleum Resources, Abeokuta Field Office, on Thursday, dispensed fuel for free to motorists in Ogun State.

The management of the gas station was alleged to have been selling above official pump price.

The team led by the Head of Operations, Mr. Kasali Akinade, said the action became necessary following information that the station, Daslap Petrol Station, at Olomore area of Abeokuta.

“We got a tip-off that this station, Daslap had fuel, but they were selling above the pump price, at N200 per litre. On getting here, we also had pieces of evidence to support the claims.

“When we checked their fuel stock level, we discovered they had 33,000 litres. In order to serve as a deterrent to others, we decided to ask them to sell their fuel for free. We said they should sell fuel to 20 vehicles and 30 bikes for free.”

Mr Akinade, however, accused some security agents of sharp practices, thereby making the DPR’s work more difficult.

“Most of the law enforcement agents are not really helping matters. Some of them collect jerry cans, some of them smuggle in vehicles from the exit points while we are trying to arrange and create sanity within the filling stations,” he said.

While making an assessment of the fuel scarcity in Ogun State, Mr Akinade described the scarcity as ‘artificial’ noting that most of the stations have fuel, but are either hoarding or selling above pump price.