LAGOS – Most petroleum marketers operating in Ikorodu, a suburb of Lagos, have declined to sell petrol at N87 per litre, more than one week after the Federal Government and marketers resolved their outstanding subsidy payment issues.
An investigation by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) showed that most petrol stations are using the national shortage in the supply of petroleum products to exploit consumers, in spite of the warning against such acts from the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR).
It showed that most of the petrol stations were dispensing petrol to consumers at between N100 and N150 per litre.
The petrol stations officially displayed N87 per litre on their dispensing machines but have resorted to the use of calculators to cost the products for the consuming public.
NAN also reports that while some motorists in the area declined to buy into the sharp practice, others who succumb have accused the petrol stations of sabotaging government’s efforts to make fuel affordable and available to Nigerians.
Mr Segun Aribisala, a motorist, urged the DPR to enforce compliance by erring petrol stations dispensing fuel above the official pump price in the area.
“These filling stations are capitalising on the location of Ikorodu on the outskirts of Lagos to sell at unofficial prices.
“During the NUPENG strike, some of these petrol stations sold fuel as high as N400 per litre, exploiting motorists and residents who had no alternative.
“Now that the strike is over and with directive to revert to the N87 pump price, they have remained adamant,” he said.
Also speaking, Mr Fatai Ajetunmobi, a commercial bus driver, said “the petrol scarcity has eased off as many petrol stations now have stock and are selling it.
“However, I doubt if we have up to fifteen petrol stations among the vast number of stations in Ikorodu that sell petrol at N87 per litre.
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“That is the reason why we have long queues at those stations that are complying with the official N87 pump price,” he said.
He also blamed the hike in transport fares experienced by commuters in Ikorodu, to the inflated pump price of petrol stations in the area.
NAN reports that petrol stations owned by the independent marketers and some major marketers, are also involved in the sharp practice.
A petrol attendant at one of the major marketers’ stations at Kasolori, on the Ikorodu to Ijebu Ode road told NAN that they were selling at N125 per litre based on management’s instructions.
“There is still scarcity of petrol and the product we have is old stock. Maybe the management might revert to the N87 pump price by next week, when fuel would have circulated fully,” he said.
NAN also recalls that the DPR had in a statement by its Head, Public Affairs, Mrs Dorothy Bassey, on May 25, warned operators against selling petrol above its official pump price of N87 per litre.
“While the DPR is making every effort to ensure that fuel is available and reaches every part of the nation, it is hereby emphasised that the Federal Government has not increased the price of fuel.
“The price remains at N87. Any station caught selling above the stipulated price, will have its licence revoked.
“No station should sell in Jerry cans as there is enough fuel and for safety reasons. Any station caught dispensing into Jerry cans will be sealed.
“We ask the public to exercise caution and cooperate with all guidelines and processes, for the safety of all,” the statement said. (NAN)
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