By Odo Ogenyi ,Uyo
Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has sealed 13 filling stations for over pricing in Akwa Ibom.
Mr Joy Koro, the Team Lead, Distribution Systems Storage and Retailing Infrastructure who stated this during monitoring and surveillance exercise in Uyo on Friday said the stations were sealed for selling far above government approved pump price to members of the public.
“We shut down 13 filling stations that were selling far above the government regulated pump price.” He said.
Koro, who is an Engineer said that three filling stations violated government seal order, adding that the stations would be sanctioned accordingly by not being allowed to operate for a stipulated period in the state.
Koro who appealed to marketers to revert to governorment approved pump price however warned that stipulated sanctions await marketers who would flout the order.
“The marketers know the government approved pump price, if we carry out surveillance and we see them selling at regulated price, we will not seal the filling station.
“If you see any marketer selling above the regulated price, definitely that filling station will be shut down. Presently, there is enough petroleum products for marketers to lift to their stations.” Koro warned.
Our Correspondent reports that most filling stations sell fuel between N300 per litre and N320 per litre in the state.” Koro explained.
Meanwhile a former chairman of the Civil Liberties Organization in Akwa Ibom Me Franklin Isong has expressed disappointment over the handling of the latest increase in price of fuel in state.
The DSS called for reverse and it was done so in some states including Akwa Ibom. The state government is not showing seriousness. Also Task Force chairman a marketer and an interested party and not fit to monitor marketers.
“Fuel marketers sale an unholy hours and chairman admitted he is handicapped to sanction errng members.” He said.
