Edo Govt. intensifies efforts to end fuel scarcity, check greedy marketers

The Edo State Government has intensified efforts to ensure that petroleum products are sold at the regulated pump price of N145 per litre, following steady supply of the products to the state. Commissioner for Solid Minerals, Oil & Gas, Hon. Joseph Ugheoke, disclosed this during a meeting with stakeholders in the oil and gas sector and security agencies in the state.

The commissioner said the ministry has set up an information desk to attend to complaints of commuters and other consumers of petroleum products in the state with complaints about unscrupulous marketers who are either hoarding products or selling above the approved prices. He added that, in two weeks’ time, officials of the ministry and other relevant bodies will go on a tour of petrol stations that were reported to be selling petroleum products above the regulated prices to enforce strict sanctions.

He explained that “though the meeting was the first  this year, it would continue on a monthly basis to ensure that marketers and distributors who buy petrol at government price, sell at the approved N145 per litre.” The commissioner noted that the state government remains committed to the welfare of its citizen hence the meeting of stakeholders in the sector and security agencies to brainstorm on ways to reduce the rising price of the product and stop the artificial scarcity of the products.

“Members of the public are required to always furnish the information desk at the Ministry with relevant information for urgent intervention,” he said and appealed to distributors and marketers to cooperate with the state government to ameliorate the sufferings of the people. The commissioner, however, warned defaulters that strict measures will be meted on anyone who goes against government’s directives.