Festive Season: NMDPRA warns against hoarding, panic buying of fuel
By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo
As the yuletide season approaches, the Nigeria Downstream and Midstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Osun State has warned oil marketers against hoarding and engaging in sharp practices.
Besides, NMDPRA warned residents to refrain from panic buying and storing petroleum products at home.
Speaking with newsmen in Osogbo on Wednesday, the State Coordinator of NMDPRA, Mr Kunle Adeyemo said any trader caught hoarding fuel or engaging in illegal pump adjustment would face punishment.
Adeyemo also said that officials of the agency will continue to conduct surveillance and monitoring exercises round the State with a view to sanctioning any marketers found guilty.
He said, the State NMDPRA will intensify surveillance and monitoring of the outlets in line with its regulatory mandate to ensure compliance with the quality, quantity and safety of operations.
Adeyemo also warned motorists to avoid panic buying and storing petroleum products in or around houses to avoid fire disaster.
The NMDPRA coordinator, who noted that the Federal Government had made available sufficient petroleum products that would last throughout the festive season and beyond, said there was no need for panic-buying or hoarding.
He noted that the Federal Government has made available enough petroleum products to last through the festive season and beyond, emphasising that there was no need to panic buy or hoarding.
According to him, “Petroleum products are available in all the depots around the country. Marketers should not engage in diversion, under-dispensing, hoarding, adulteration and unsafe acts in petroleum retail outlets. Any marketer or operator caught engaging in sharp practices will be sanctioned accordingly.
” Members of the public should also desist from storing petroleum products at homes because such action can cause fire outbreak.”
Adeyemo also appealed to residents in the State to patronise only approved and certified gas facilities.
