FORCE FILLING STATION TO COMPLY WITH THE NEW PETROL PUMP PRICE ANAMBRA RESIDENTS URGES GOVERNMENT
Some residents of Anambra State have appealed to the Federal Government to set up a taskforce to enforce the new pump price of petrol nationwide. They say this has become necessary as filling stations in the state still sell the commodity at one hundred and forty-five naira per litre.
President Muhamadu Buhari last week approved a downward review of the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) popularly known as petrol from one hundred and forty-five naira to one hundred and twenty-five naira as part of measures to cushion the effects of COVID-19 on the people. The pandemic ravaging the entire world has caused crash in the price of crude oil globally.
However, days after the Federal Government announced that all filling stations should adjust to the new pump price immediately, most filling stations in Awka and environs are yet to comply with the directive. A resident of Awka, Prince Chris Azor, commends the step by the government but expresses regret that owners of filling stations in the area have refused to comply with the new price regime.
Prince Azor therefore appeals to the federal government to set up a committee to enforce compliance. Another resident, Comrade Obi Ochije, says that though the announcement by government is timely, they would have allowed the petroleum marketers a little time to sell off the old stock bought in a higher loading amount. Comrade Ochije, however argues that when pump prices go up in the country, it is always difficult for people to adhere to the downward review.
A media practitioner, Mrs. Uchay Amunike, who shuttles between Onitsha and Awka daily, observes that the ordinary citizens are always at the receiving end whenever government gestures are not adhered to, especially by petroleum dealers. For an Awka business man, Mr. Uchenna Okolo, government must match words with action by insisting that filling stations effect the change without further delay.
In an interview, the Controller, Department of Petroleum Resources, (DPR) Anambra State, Mr. Okiemute Akpomudjere, says plans are on by the agency to clamp down on defaulters. Mr. Akpomudjere calls on all the petroleum marketers yet to comply to do so without further delay.
The people are expectant that government will come to their rescue and act immediately as the restrictions occassioned by COVID-19 are already having their toll on the cost of living. Radio Nigeria observes that only the NNPC mega station in Awka sells at the approved pump price of one hundred and twenty-five naira.
UCHE NDEKE