The Special Assistant to the Ebonyi State Governor on Petroleum, Mr Nwafor Nnaemeka, said the state government had sealed three fuel stations within the capital city over alleged involvement in shape practices and meter adjustments, among other offences.
Mr. Nnaemeka, who made the disclosure to LEADERSHIP Friday shortly after sealing the stations, insisted that meter adjustment, product hoarding, and other shape practices that affect the citizens of the nation are a menace that must be condemned and put a stop to.
He expressed concern that marketers indiscriminately increase pump prices both at the depot and at the different selling points due to the unavailability of the products in many parts of the federation, including Ebonyi State.
“We have been working tirelessly to make sure that fuel stations are not under dispensing. We got information that due to the unavailability of the product, people are using the opportunity to defraud the masses.
„That‘s why we deployed our task force to pay an unscheduled visit to all the stations in the state to ensure that they are selling products and not using the opportunity of the unavailability to shortchange the masses.
„So far, we have sealed 3 stations Edde Mass, R&C and Dozi oil & gas fuel stations due to under-dispensing and hoarding.
„We are not going to fold our hands and watch some persons not just shortchange our people but also put them through untold hardship. We are not just stopping here in the urban, we will soon move to the rural areas and make sure that the masses get value of what they paid for.
He debunked the allegations that some fake task force agents visit different stations in the state to extort money from dealers under the guise that they are working for the state government.
„Anybody alleging that the state government is insensitive to the plight of the people are not being sincere. We ensure we check their activities to ensure that the right thing is being done.
„If we are not checking on them, we wouldn‘t have identified the activities of the 3 that was sealed. We have used the 3 as an example to others who might want to engage in fraudulent activities. It is criminal to defraud the masses and those involved will face the full wrath of the law.
„I have a team that was approved by the state governor to work under my department to checkmate the sharp practices of fuel dealers. Our core mandate is to check against adulteration, meter adjustments and other negative activities of dealers,‘‘ he said.
He warned dealers and marketers in the state to shun all forms of fraudulent activity and ensure that they comply with all the regulations guiding their operations.
