Filling stations in Imo have resumed the sale of petroleum products following the suspension of an industrial strike embarked upon by the Petroleum Tanker Drivers Association in the state.
Mr Okechukwu Okoro, Zonal Controller of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) in Owerri, confirmed this to newsmen while conducting a surveillance on filling stations on Thursday.
Okoro expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance on the part of marketers with the directive to resume sale of petroleum products.
He said that filling stations that have not been able to access the products since the industrial strike are now getting the products and have begun selling.
Okoro, who condemned the activities of black marketers, said that the DPR will continue to monitor sales with a view to sanctioning marketers found hoarding the products.
“We are happy that marketers have started dispensing to customers as they access the products.
“We will continue to monitor sales and anyone who hoards the products will be sanctioned accordingly,” he said.
The surveillance team, which visited 60 filling stations in the state, confirmed that those who had begun dispensing were selling at N165 per litre.
Some of the filling stations that were already dispensing are Uddy King Oil and Gas, Jo-Inex Energy, Cocean and S.B Trading Ltd.
Others were Riquest Oil and Gas Ltd where the presence of the DPR team prompted resumption of sales, Estate Energy and St. Global Pillar Energy Ltd.
E-Hara Oil, Pinnacle, Chybyke and Empire Energy, all along the Aba road, Owerri, have however not begun dispensing.
Some consumers expressed happiness with the return to regular price of N165 and commended the state government for stepping up to alleviate their suffering.
Mr Ugochukwu Dike of Nkwerre Local Government Area, commended the tanker drivers and government for reaching a truce and recommended that those selling above the pump price should be sealed.
“All those who have contributed to availability of the products and restoration of normal price have done a good job; but I recommend sealing of non-compliant filling stations,” he said.
Mr Francis Deji, a commuter, said: ” This suspension of strike will not only ease the suffering of the masses but also prevent the risks associated with the black market”.
Meanwhile, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has commended the Imo government and the Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) for the amicable resolution of the crisis between them.
IPMAN Chairman, Enugu Depot, Mr Chinedu Anyaso, commended both parties on Thursday in Awka.
Filling stations resume sale of petroleum products in Imo
