NSCDC WARNS FILLING STATIONS IN ENUGU STATE AGAINST HICKING PRICE OF PETROL

REPORTER: CHRISTIAN NWANGENE

Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Enugu State Command, has warned petroleum marketers in the state, who hike their pump price or hoard the product to desist from such or face the wrath of the law.

The State Commandant of the Corps, Mr. Afrika Valentine Ezenyimulu, who gave the warning in a statement, said his men would monitor filling stations to apprehend and prosecute such dealers in a court of competent jurisdiction.

‘The NSCDC Anti Petroleum Products Vandalism and Theft Squad has been charged to go round all petroleum product stations to ensure compliance.

According to the NSCDC boss, the artificial scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) is as a result of some marketers who are hoarding the product for selfish reasons.

“It has however noted that the artificial scarcity of the product is further complicated by some unscrupulous petroleum products marketers in the State who hike their pump price on PMS, higher above the official pump price, while some in addition, are hoarding the product for selfish reasons,” the NSCDC boss fumed.

While calling on Nigerians to exercise patience as the matter is being actively addressed by the authorities, the NSCDC State Commandant advised key players in the industry not to jeopardize efforts being made to restore normalcy in the distribution chain.

“Enugu State Command sympathizes with the citizenry on the hardship occasioned by the artificial scarcity of Petroluem Motor Spirit (PMS) products in the State” he said.

The State commandant also advised members of the public to avoid panic buying and unwholesome storage of the product to avoid fire disasters that might lead to loss of lives and property.