Sokoto – The Department of Petroleum Resources ( DPR) on Tuesday distributed 11,200 litres of petrol free to motorists at the Basat Multi Trade Nigeria Ltd filling station in Sokoto.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the filling station, which was sealed for hoarding, was also fined N1 million.
The agency meted the punitive measures to the independent filling station during an enforcement exercise led by its Sokoto Zonal Operations Controller,Mr Mohammed Makera.
It was observed that each motorist was given 30 litres free, while motorcyclists each received five litres.
Similarly, three other independent filling stations were sealed and fined N 100,000 each per pump for under delivery and selling above the government approved pump price of N 86.50 per litre.
Three others were forced to sell the commodity at N86.50 per litre.
Makera said that the exercise was sequel to a directive from the national headquarters of the agency.
” We have to force all the filling stations in the state to sell the commodity at the government approved prices.
” This is to ensure that the motorists are not cheated by the marketers so that they get value for their money.
” The activities of these unpatriotic marketers are sabotaging the sustained efforts of the Federal Government to make petroleum products available across the nation,” the controller said.
He further promised to take stern measures to apprehend filling stations selling the commodity in the early hours of the day and at night.
Two benefitting motorists, Abubakar Milgoma and Usman Binji, commended the DPR for enforcing compliance with the pump prices.
” Motorists across the country have been going through hell to get petrol and such exercises by the agency should be sustained,’” they urged.( NAN)