The Bayelsa State Petroleum Task Force (PTF), has warned owners of filling stations not to take advantage of the ongoing fuel scarcity to unjustly punish people of the state.
Chairman of the task force, Hon. Ebipade Richman gave the warning when he led a team, comprising representatives of Petroleum Product Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and Nigerian Youth Parliament, to filling stations within Yenegoa.
“The reason for this inspection is to ensure filling station owners do not take advantage of the present fuel scarcity in the country to undo Bayelsans with inflated pump prices”, he said.
The team commenced the tour from the NNPC mega filling station along the New Yenagoa gateway of the East-West road down to Reboter filling station, Kpansia.
Our correspondent observed that some filling stations that were selling above #200 were instantly ordered to reduce their price or face sanctions.
Others that locked their filing station were asked to open for sales, to reduce the effect of the scarcity and ensure the availability of fuel for people of the state.
Hon. Richman said, the scarcity is a nationwide problem that needs time to resolve but urged the various unions not to seize the opportunity to exploit people.
He pleaded with consumers to remain calm and avoid panic, saying government is seriously working with the NNPC and other relevant authorities to ensure PMS is available within the shortest period of time and price normalized to regulated rate.
