Petrol filling stations in Akwa Ibom State said to be in the habit of adjusting their pump fuel price arbitrarily during the Yuletide stand the risk of closure.
Already, petrol stations- Bafil Petroleum, Majudex, Esset Petroleum, Jobayo Investment Nigeria Ltd, Basumoh and Bofan Petroleum, among others- alleged to have violated government approved rate by selling N150 per litre may be sanctioned.
However, Petroleum Products Monitoring Committee (PPMC), Uyo has directed them to revert to N145 per litre or face stiff penalty for non-compliance.
In an interview with StraightNews reporter, Margaret Sampson, a pump attendant at Basumoh filling station said the reason for selling the product at N150 per litre arises from an increment at the depot to marketers.
Sampson, therefore, appealed to the state government to intervene to ensure that the price of products sold to marketers remains stable.
As at Wednesday, the stations were yet to comply with the PPMC’s directive.
Meanwhile, Obong Essien Esema, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Petroleum Matters (SSA), has warned petrol peddlers in the state against hike in prices of petroleum products or risk indefinite closure of the stations.
Esema, who issued the warning Tuesday during a routine monitoring exercise carried out by the Petroleum Products Monitoring Committee in Uyo, said the state government would clamp down on any petrol dealer who inflates the price of petrol above N145 per litre.
He condemned the attitude that create artificial scarcity of the product and bring untold hardship to the public.
Esema, who is also the Chairman of Petroleum Products Monitoring Committee (PPMC), assured members of the public of adequate petroleum products during the yuletide season.
The SSA pointed out that Governor Udom Emmanuel is committed towards ensuring the welfare of Akwa Ibom people and a hitch-free festive season.
