The Enugu State Government and Marketers of Petroleum Products in the
State have agreed to plug all loopholes that would affect steady
supply and availability of the product to consumers.
Speaking at the end of two separate meeting between representatives of
government, major and independent marketers at the government House,
the state government said the marketers have agreed to sell at the
official government price of (N97.00) naira per liter.
They also agreed to ensure that consumers did not hoard or hawk
petroleum with a view to causing artificial scarcity and that
marketers would be free to load fuel at any depot in the country.
Already, a task force headed by the State Commissioner for
Inter-Ministerial Matters Mr Chuka Utazi has swung into action to
enforce compliance with the new price regime and eliminate hoarding of
petroleum products by marketers.
Utazi who represented Governor Chime at the meeting cautioned against
excessive purchases since many petrol trucks would be arriving the
state within the week to ensure availability of the product.
Earlier in his address Mr. Utazi told the marketers that the meeting
was scheduled on the instruction of the Governor for a heart to heart
talk with them with a view to finding the cause or causes of the fuel
scarcity and how best to tackle them.
The Commissioner explained that as very responsive administration
while the state government would continue to encourage people to do
their businesses without hindrance or harassment it will not tolerate
exploitation of the consumers.
He requested the marketers to assist government to ensure there was
enough petroleum products in the state adding that if they supply
enough quality to dealers there will be enough to be sold to
consumers.
The Commissioner said that it would be unfair for any marketer to
divert fuel meant for Enugu State to another State in the bid to make
more money adding that any marketer caught in that act will be
punished.
He stated that although, the law enforcement agents and state security
operations will see to it that sales of fuel were on up to 6pm now
filling station should be allowed to sell stipulated by law.
Mr. Utazi said that government will be making public filling stations
where fuel is available and appealed to consumers to be patient and
bear with government as efforts are being made to supply more products
to the state.
The meeting was attended by both major and independent marketers as
well as the NNPC deport Manager in the state.
