Sokoto.
Scarcity of fuel currently rocking economic activities in some parts of the country is yielding fruit in Sokoto and Kebbi states as the Department of Petroleum Resources intensified effort to ensure strict compliance by marketers.
Speaking to newsmen in Sokoto yesterday, Zonal Controller for Sokoto and Kebbi states, Alhaji Mohammed Makera said the department had sealed 5 filling stations in Sokoto and Kebbi states for allegedly selling petrol above the pump price of N145 per litre.
According to Makera, three filling stations were axed in Sokoto while 2 were sealed in Kebbi.
“The owners of the sealed stations have also been fined N100, 000 and must write an undertaking before their stations could be reopened,’ he said.
He said that the action was sequel to the raids they sustained on both independent and major marketers’ filling stations in Sokoto and Kebbi states.
“I can assure you that our men were always on the field to ensure that all the filling stations that were supplied the commodity sell it immediately without giving room for hoarding.
“Not only that, we are also ensuring that they sell according to the approved pump price,” he added.
The Controller, however, stated that the department’s personnel would sustain their surveillance activities and raids of filling stations in the bid to ensure that no unsuspecting motorist is cheated.
He vowed to ensure that motorists get value for their money, even as he advised them against panic buying.
“We don’t mind how and where you get your supply, you must sell it at the price approved by the government or be sanctioned,” he warnedHe called on the public to alert the department of any filling stations indulging in hoarding activities or selling above the regulated price for prompt action.
He advise motorists to exercise patients and stop patronizing black marketers as doing so will discourage and off route them from the business.
Makera said the Department had received 64 trucks of fuel from depot for Sokoto and Kebbi states between Friday to Monday.
“Our prayer was to get more supplies these coming days to be able to stabilize the situation. Thank God there is a noticeable improvement for now,” he said.
It would be recalled that the department had recently sealed 19 filling stations in Sokoto and Kebbi states for allegedly selling petrol above the pump price of N 145.
