The Department of
Petroleum Resources (DPR) in Bayelsa says it has shut down at least 10 filling
stations in the state for dispensing products above the approved price of N145
per liter.
Mr Asuquo Antai, Operations Controller of DPR in the
state said on Wednesday in Yenagoa that the directorate had intensified
surveillance.
“As I speak, we want to send signals to others that we
cannot tolerate profiteering.
“The marketers are mking moves to increase the price of
petrol due to pressure on ex-depot prices, but we insist that the market is a
regulated one and the government has not reviewed the price of petrol.
“We are also aware that prices at NNPC depots have
remained the same but some lift from there and claim that they bought from
private depots at higher prices.
“We have met with Independent Petroleum Marketers
Association of Nigeria (IPMAM) officials in Bayelsa and they have complained
that products arrive the depots above the ex-depot prices of N136.
“They maintained that the pressure on price was eroding
their allowed margings and eating into their profits, but we have advised them
to discourage profiteering by not sourcing the products at exhorbitant prices
because we cannot allow anyone to sell above N145,” Antai said.
He said that DPR in Bayelsa would not watch and see
petrol dealers exploit members of the public who are already facing the
challenges of economic recessions.
He advised the fuel dealers to patronise the Nigerian
National Petroleum Corporation depots where products were being loaded at
government approved rates.
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