Fuel price hike: Akwa Ibom govt reads riot act to marketers extorting residents

The Akwa Ibom State Government has threatened to take action against those selling petrol above the approved prices in the state.

In a broadcast speech marking the state’s 37th anniversary of creation, the State Governor announced plans to establish a special Task Force to ensure that defaulters are held accountable and to deter others from engaging in such practices.

“Let me warn those who are selling gasoline above the approved price that the government will not tolerate such unpatriotic actions. We will soon set up a task force to ensure that those engaging in this practice are brought to book,” he stated.

Regarding the long-awaited CNG buses, the governor explained that the government would launch the buses only after securing partnerships to provide refilling depots.

While emphasising the need for these partnerships, Eno noted that it does not make sense to purchase CNG buses without the necessary refilling infrastructure, as doing so would be counterproductive.

“We are in search of partners who will provide refilling depots for our CNG buses. Once this is achieved, we will launch this programme. It does not make sense to buy CNG buses that will not have refilling depots; doing so will defeat the purpose of this initiative,” Eno said.

He called on the people to continue living in peace and to shun politics of violence and division in the state.

“As we celebrate 37 years of our creation, God has given us peace within our walls, and we are working hard to expand prosperity too within her space. I call on our people to remain united and treat one another with love, mutual respect, and compassion. If God has blessed you, please be a source of help to others. Let us face these challenging times together and arise in glory as one people, whom God brought together 37 years ago.

“Politics should not divide us; ethnicity should not separate us; let our kindred spirit be an everlasting tie that binds and shapes our daily engagement with one another,” he added.

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