Fuel Scarcity: DPR Threatens Marketers Hoarding Petrol

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has warned marketers against hoarding petrol in their outlets following the queues at petrol stations in some states.

​​​​AllNews Nigeria earlier reported that some petrol stations have increased the cost of fuel per litre from N162 per litre to N170 per litre without federal government's approval. Another report stated that some petrol station are hoarding fuel thinking there would be an increment by March 2021.

READ ALSO: NNPC Speaks On Speculated Plans To Increase Fuel Price By March 2021

The DPR in a statement issued by Mr Paul Osu, Head Public Affairs, warned marketers to desist from hoarding the product.

Mr Osu explained that the Director/CEO of DPR, Sarki Auwalu, gave the warning following the emergence of queues in some states. He said from available records,

“There is product sufficiency in the country” and that there was “no need for hoarding by any marketer”.

He emphasized that the department will not hesitate to apply appropriate sanctions on any outlet found wanting in this regard.

He further stated that the agency has set up a special task force to intensify surveillance and monitoring of all retail outlets and depots nationwide to check the anomaly and advised the general public against panic buying.

He assured that DPR will continue to provide its regulatory focus of quality, quantity, integrity and safety for the effective operations of the downstream sector.

Meanwhile, AllNews Nigeria reports that some marketers lament that they buy at an exorbitant rate, According to Kano Branch Chairman of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Bashir DanMalam marketers bought petrol at an ex-depot price of N165 per litre rather than N148 per litre.