From Paul Osuyi, Asaba
Members of the Delta State Monitoring Committee on Friday stormed some petrol stations in Asaba, Delta State capital to ensure that the product was being sold to motorists.
The committee which is headed by the Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Emman Amgbaduba, was set up by the state government to monitor the distribution of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) also known as petrol.
Briefing newsmen, Mr. Amgbaduba said the overall objective was to ensure availability, accessibility and affordability of the product, admitting that Deltans have been in pains as a result of fuel scarcity in the last few months.
He said the committee will not rest on its oars until normalcy was achieved across the length and breadth of the state.
Amgbaduba urged stations with the product to start dispensing at the government approved pump price, warning that defaulters would be made to face the full weight of the law.
“We agreed that Deltans are in pains as a result of fuel scarcity. We feel the pains of Deltans and we have hit the streets running to make sure that fuel is accessible, affordable and available to the citizens.
“We want to appeal to residents and motorists to remain calm as the state government is not resting until the chaotic queues are eliminated.
“We want to advice stations with the product to commence selling immediately, as those hoarding would be sanctioned,” he said.
According to him, the committee has taken a step further to adopt a docket system to monitor tankers from their loading points to the points of discharge to avoid diversion of the product.
He appealed to the Federal Government an. The Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) to take extra steps to avoid sentiments in the distribution of available products.
On why the state government waited this long before taking action, Amgbaduba disclosed that they wanted to allow the Federal Government to address the situation to avoid being labelled as over regulators in the petroleum sector.