The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) formerly known as the Department of Petroleum Resources, has blamed some retail outlet owners for the fuel scarcity experienced in some parts of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Due to the development, the commission said it has sealed three petrol stations in the metropolis over alleged diversion of products.
Speaking to journalists on Sunday after a surveillance exercise, NUPRC Port Harcourt Zonal Controller, Goddy Ine, said the three stations were sealed off during operation.
The controller stated that officials of the commission are always at alert to track those engaged in diverting products in order to cause artificial scarcity.
According to him, “It was obvious from the panic buying in some parts of the state that some of the petroleum dealers are diverting the product they have lifted from the depots.
“My men are always on the alert when we conduct such surveillance. We discovered that the stations where those products were meant to be taken to had no products.
“So, where have they taken the products to?”
Ine vowed that the commission would go after retail outlets in rural areas that sell products at unapproved prices.
“There is no disparity of pump prices anywhere in the state. Government has also not approved any increase in pump price. So, the difference could be whether you are dealing with a major company or you are dealing with an independent company, where the prices could range from N162 to N168 and thereabouts.
“Nobody is allowed to sell above the acceptable price limit. Of course, you know that we are going to name them and shame them also,” he added.
