By Ogochukwu Isioma
The Delta State Petroleum Products Monitoring Committee set up by the state government to ensure product’s availability and appropriate pricing across the state has commenced work with an unscheduled visit to fuel stations in Asaba.
Among the petrol stations visited within the state capital, Asaba, on Friday by the Team led by its Chairman and State Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Prince Emman Amgbaduba include Matrix, NNPC Mega Station and NewPath Petroleum.
Briefing journalists, Amgbaduba said the overall objective was to ensure availability, accessibility and affordability of the product, admitting that Deltans have been in pains as a result of fuel scarcity in the last few months.
He said the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa administration was concerned about the horrendous experience of the people in getting the product, assuring that the committee will not rest on its oars until normalcy returns across the length and breadth of the state.
Amgbaduba urged stations with the product to start dispensing at the government approved pump price, warning that defaulters would be made to face the full weight of the law.
“We agreed that Deltans are in pains as a result of fuel scarcity. We feel the pains of Deltans and we have hit the streets running to make sure that fuel is accessible, affordable and available to the citizens.
“We want to appeal to residents and motorists to remain calm as the state government is not resting until the chaotic queues are eliminated.
“We want to advice stations with the product to commence selling immediately, as those hoarding would be sanctioned,” he warned.
According to him, the committee has taken a step further to adopt a docket system to monitor tankers from their loading points to the points of discharge to avoid diversion of the product.
Amgbaduba appealed to the Federal Government and the Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited to take extra steps to avoid sentiments in the distribution of available products.
On why the state government waited this long before commencing action, Amgbaduba disclosed that they wanted to allow the Federal Government to address the situation to avoid being labelled as over regulators in the petroleum sector.
