DPR Gives Out FREE Fuel To Motorists

A petrol station, Alkad and Sons Nigeria Limited, situated along Olorunsogo, Ilorin, Kwara state capital suffered heavy loss yesterday, November 23 as the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) gave out their fuel to motorists and motorcyclists free of charge.

Daily Trust reports that the surveillance team of the DPR caught the station hoarding a total of 2300 litres of petrol, following a tip off.

The station had allegedly told buyers that it had exhausted its stock but when the team led by Salvation Philip, the operation controller of DPR got there, they discovered the station had 2300 litres of fuel.

Another station, Nasmut Nigeria Limited, located in Otte, Asa local government area of the state was found hoarding a large volume of petrol also.

Philip ordered that the commodity be given to members of the public free, saying he was acting in accordance with the directive of Minister of State for Petroleum.

He said: “We are out for surveillance because of the situation on ground and we want to make sure that the fuel that comes in is distributed to commuters. When we got to this place (Alkad), we dug and discovered that they (management of the station) were hoarding 2300 litres of fuel. So, we are simply enforcing the ministerial directive. We are giving the fuel free to fellow Nigerians that need it. It is a critical time we have to utilize what is available. This is the second station so far we caught hoarding.”

According to him, it would serve a warning to others hoarding or intending to hoard petroleum product.

Philip added that anybody caught hoarding, diverting or flouting petroleum laws and regulations would be made to face the law.

In past weeks, Nigerians have been groaning over the increasing scarcity of fuel across the country, with petrol stations hoarding the product and black marketers selling at exorbitant prices.

Last week, Ibe Kachikwu, the minister of state for petroleum resources ordered the DPR to seal off fuel stations found to be hoarding petroleum products and give out the petroleum free to the public.