Adebayo Adenrele
The Ekiti State government has called on filling stations in the state to stop hoarding premium motor spirit (PMS), popularly known as fuel, and sell to customers.
This call was made on Saturday when the Chairman, Petroleum Products Regulations Consumer and Protection Agency in Ekiti State, Hon. Arinka Odunayo led a delegation to monitor the activities of some of the petrol filling stations in the state.
Speaking with journalists during the exercise in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, Hon. Odunayo said the move was to ensure that the pump prices of petroleum products are regulated in the state.
He said that the administration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji is against the exorbitant prices of petroleum products and the price disparity among petroleum marketers.
Odunayo assured residents that the state government is committed to curb fuel hoarding and other malpractices that will inflict hardship on the masses, assuring that the crises will be resolved by next week.
His words, “We need to be out because what is going on in this state is barbaric. We won’t allow these people to continue to work against this government because this government has been doing well in the state.
“We discovered that some people are selling fuel at the rate of N660, N650 and N640 per litres respectively while others are selling at N760, N750 and N720 which ought not to be so. We are out today to cross check all the stations. Some closed their stations. People have been complaining that the prices are too high.
“This crisis is everywhere. Between now and next, we will know the actual problem and how to resolve the issue. Today is Saturday and we don’t normally go out but due to the situation of things in town, we have to intervene. They should be patient. Between now and next week, everything will be resolved.”
During the monitoring exercise in some filling stations in the state capital, Eltayon Nigeria Ltd sold PMS at N720, Bovas along Bank road was selling at N640 while A.A Rano wasn’t dispensing due to non-availability of the product.
However, during a visit to Matrix Filling Station along Adebayo Road in Ado-Ekiti, it was discovered that they were hoarding the product comprising 4,500 litres.
It was gathered that took the intervention of the Chairman of Petroleum Products Regulations Consumer and Protection Agency in Ekiti State to ensure that the products is being dispensed to residents at the rate of N660 per litre.