DPR seals 50 petrol stations in Oyo

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The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Oyo and Osun field office has sealed off more than 50 petrol stations in Ibadan and environs for hoarding and selling the product above government approved price.

It has also embarked on aggressive disposal of the product at filling stations that are creating artificial scarcity in different parts of the state.

Notably, a filling station allegedly belonging to a former senator from Oke Ogun part of the state was among those sealed off by the DPR.

Another belonging to a former governor from Ogbomosho, which was sealed off few weeks back was also one of those compelled to reverse its sales to government approved price during the inspection.

Meanwhile, it was a bad day for many marketers as no fewer than 50 filing stations who were found to be hoarding petroleum and kerosene, and noted to be planning to sell at odd times at exorbitant prices were also sealed off in different parts of the state

Many petroleum marketers across the state have been cashing in on the masses by selling the product at prices far above the government regulated prices while only few major marketers selling at the official prices experienced massive crowd with many people spending more than ten hours on queue to get the product.

Investigation revealed that, the product in the last few days in major parts of the state sold between N120 and N150 per litre.

Same could be said of kerosene which now sells between N95 and N100 per litre.

Some of the filling stations where the enforcement took place in Ogbomosho are: TDB global venture limited, allegedly belonging to a former governor of the state, Modern Options, Isale General, Ballah Plus, Sabo, Rubbie oil, Stadium road, Musalat Intergrated Resources Nigeria limited and Saajad Resourses Nigeria limited.

The few marketers selling at government approved prices during the inspection were also supported in ensuring orderliness and promptness in the sales by officials of the department who were stationed by the team lead.

Conoil and Oando both around Eleyele were some of the places the intervention of the officials of the DPR helped save the day when the massive crowd made selling of the products difficult for the sales attendants.

Some of those sealed off Thursday in Ibadan also include: Prolek Molete for selling at N130 per litre and not willing to reverse sales, Alleluyah Oil, Idi-Arere, allegedly owned by a former senator in the state, for selling at N140 per litre and Oando, Oritamefa for hoarding the product.

Engineer Olakunle Ogunlana, Operations Controller, Oyo and Osun Field office who spoke through Mr. Sadiq Ibrahim, deputy manager (operations) said the effort is to cushion the pain fraudulent marketers’ subjected members of the public to for pecuniary gains.

Ogunlana said: “it is unfair how some few people unduly take advantage of millions of other people just to make selfish gains. This scarcity is making things difficult for members of the public despite government intervention.

“We will not rest until we ensure that they (independent marketers) do what is right in the interest of Nigerians. We will not allow them rubbish government efforts.”

He however called on the marketers to show patriotism in discharging and running their business interest as government is doing enough to make the product available across the country.

Source: The Nation