The Ekiti State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil
Defence Corps (NSCDC), Mr. John Olatunde Fayemi, has cautioned Premium Motor
Spirit users and dealers in the state not to inflict economic injuries on the
people as well themselves.
Commandant Fayemi stated this while monitoring the sales and
dispensing of the product in Ado Ekiti, following a series of complaints that
some filling stations were selling the product above the regulated pump price.
Fayemi, who moved within Ado metropolis along with men of
the Anti-Vandal Unit of the Command, advised some filling station owners along
Ado/Ikere road who were hitherto alleged to have been selling the product above
the government approved price, that they should revert to the known price if the
allegations were true and also urged some people who came with large numbers of
jerry cans to think twice before keeping PMS at home, especially this season
where everywhere is dry.
The State Commandant further noted that selling the product
above government approved price is tantamount to sabotaging government’s
efforts to make the economy run smoothly.
While also considering such acts as inflicting economic
injuries on the people by the petroleum dealers, he posited that illegal
storage of fuel at home for black marketing is an unwholesome practice that
contravenes the safety and health policy of the state government.
He, therefore, directed the Anti-Vandal Unit to step up the
work of monitoring and moderation of petroleum products distribution and dispensing
around Ekiti State with the aim of combatting hoarding and arbitrary price hike
of the product.
This is with a view to easing out the scarcity of the
product that has lingered in the state for about two weeks now.
The State Commandant further issued stern warning to petroleum dealers and filling station owners in the state that anyone caught will face the full wrath of the law and no one, including black marketers would be spared from prosecution, to serve as deterrent to others who may want to indulge in the illegal act.