Fuel scarcity: DPR seals filling stations in Oyo, enforces sale at N145/litre

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Ibadan field office, on Wednesday, clamped down on filling stations in Ibadan, Iseyin and Ogbomoso hoarding fuel and selling above the official petrol price of N145 per litre.

The exercise done by the DPR, in the company of officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Oyo state government, saw the joint task force mandate filling stations to sell at the official price apart from sealing some others.

Upon the arrival of the DPR team, fuel attendants at some filling stations in areas like Akobo, Ashi Bodija, Olorunda absconded.

However, acting upon information by residents of the area that some filling stations just got fuel shipments and sold above the approved price at night, the DPR sealed some stations.

Deputy Controller, Department of Petroleum Resources, Ibadan field office, Mr Sadiq Ibrahim who led the team, said the DPR would, in the ongoing exercise, penalize filling stations for hoarding and selling above pump price.

“Most of the filling stations we visited were deserted but we have to trace them to come back and ensure that those that have products sell to the public will have their station sealed.

“Those who have filling stations that have fuel and refuse to sell will be penalized for hoarding and selling above pump price.

We discovered that some pump attendants absconded. We will ensure that they sell to the public and they will face the penalty for hoarding and selling above the pump price of N145 per litre.

The government has not increased pump price so they will face the penalty for hoarding and selling above pump price,” Sadiq said.

Officials of the Oyo state government, on the monitoring team included, Special Adviser to Ajimobi on Community Relations, Mr Murisiku Siyanbade; Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Toye Arulogun and Commissioner for Special Duties and Liaison Affairs, Mr Fatai Salau.

Speaking, Siyanbade averred that the state government was all out to arrest owners of filling stations hoarding and selling above approved pump price.

Siyanbade decried that many were station owners were selling above the pump price but assured that the monitoring by the joint task force would continue until normalcy returned.