By Correspondent in Ilorin
The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) says it has sealed up five filling stations in the Ilorin metropolis over offences ranging from over-pricing, under-dispensing and abscondment.
The Controller, Ilorin field, Engr. Sule Yusuf, disclosed this while speaking with journalists after monitoring over 35 filling stations in the state capital on Tuesday.
He said that there was no fuel scarcity, adding that no plan to increase fuel price in the country.
“We observed that operators seem to be taking laws into their hands by selling over what government has allowed them to sell, especially, for Petrol. We’ve been going out to monitor before, and we’ll continue to do that. Today is just special because it’s price we’re out to monitor, quality, quantity and pump efficiency.
“Two teams of the DPR officials went out this morning in different directions. We visited about 35 filing stations out of which two absconded and sealed. They know the consequences. They’ll only be reopened when they show remorse, pay sanction fees and comply. About three stations were caught over-pricing.
“We’ve forced them to bring the price down to allowable range and they’ve complied so that they don’t continue cheating the public. For now, there’s no increase in pump price, so they have to comply.
” If any station is selling above window range of N162 and N165 per litre, people should inform the authority. We’ll visit those stations and force them to comply in addition to sanction.
Yusuf, who advised consumers to watch out to avoid being short-changed, stressed the need for them to get value for their money.
“Operators are advised to play the game according to rules to avoid being sanctioned. Yes, they are out to make profit but not at detriment of majority of the public,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, motorists have called on DPR authorities to beam their searchlight to the neighbouring kogi state,to check the shylock filling station operators who they claimed over priced the pump price of fuel in Lokoja and its environs.
Some commercial drivers told the correspondent of The Reporters in Lokoja on Tuesday,that they had been forced to buy a litre of fuel from N170 and above instead of the official price of between N163 and N165.
“We are reeling in pain, having been forced to buy fuel at exorbitant price, a development that is eating deep into our proceeds. We beg DPR to save us from these greedy filling station operators exploiting us,” Mr Mathew Adebayo said.
