Motorists Cry of Sabotage At Filling Stations

                                                             

 Inspite of government concerted efforts to regulate the pump prices of petroleum products in the country, some oil marketers are hell bent in sabotaging government's efforts following their non-compliance with the government approved pump price.

To this end commercial motor-cycle operators and bus drivers in Nnewi metropolis have appealed to government to use its task-force and other relevant  agencies to clampdown on erring petroleum marketers who have refused to adhere strictly to government's directives.

Recounting his ordeal in the hands of oil marketers a commercial motor-cycle operator in Nnewi popularly known as okada Mr. Godknows Uchez said that a-times he would pay for 5 litres of fuel but in the end he would be given just 2 or 3 litres alleging that petrol stations in the area were in the habit of adjusting their computerized mitres to swindle unsuspecting customers.

He therefore urgently called on government to come to their rescue as the situation had taken a serious toll on their means of livelihood adding  that the oil marketers should revert to 97 naira approved government price rather than 100 naira per litre. The Okada rider further lamented that even though they bought fuel at exorbitant rates,  passengers find it difficult to patronize them if the bill was on the high side.

Also Mr.John Ezike a bus driver that ply Nnewi axis equally alleged that petrol stations in the area sell at 100 naira per litre stressing that government assist transporters not only in regulating the prices of petroleum products but also provide parking space for them as they currently load and off-load their passengers on the road thereby causing heavy traffic jams.

He further revealed that since 2012 there has not been a parking space for commercial bus drivers in Nnewi alleging that the officers and men of the Anambra state traffic agency often brutalize  and intimidate them while they scout for commuters on the road.Mr.Ezike stated that to address the problem of hike in petroleum products government should use its task-force to pay unscheduled visit to filling stations in Nnewi and other parts of the state to arrest as well as prosecute petrol stations that defraud unsuspecting customers.

However the manager of KM oil and gas Nnewi Mr.Boniface Ndukwe said that KM oil and gas has been selling at the government approved pump price of 97 naira per litre but the company sold at 100 naira per litre due to problems encountered in getting the products from source emphasizing that the company will resume with the government approved pump price at the end of January 2014.

                                            By Ozo Ray