The Ondo state Petroleum task force has accused officials of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) in the state of aiding and aibeting the hike in the price of the product in Akure, the state capital and its environ.
Already, apart from three petrol marketers in the state including the NNPC, other petrol stations have been freely selling the product above the official price of N145.
Along the Benin /Ilesa expressway where the DPR office is located, no fewer than seven petrol stations are selling between N210 to N250.
Residents of the state had decried the inactiveness of the government by allowing the hike in the price of the product to continue even during broad day light.
But, the head of the state government Petroleum task force, who doubles as the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Special Duties, Dr. Doyin Odebowale has accused officials of the DPR of sabotaging the efforts of the government.
Odebowale who took to the social media to vent his displeasure, particularly mentioned Mr. Emmanuel Adewole of frustrating the efforts of the state government.
He said, “I should like to reiterate the fact that the DPR in Ondo State and some elements who claim to be public servants are behind the menace
“It was a so called Director in DPR, one Emmanuel Adewole, working in conjunction with the so called marketers, who are responsible for this wickedness
“It was he who reminded me that I am not an indigene of Ondo State. We had gone round to enforce compliance in the Akure, Owo and Ose. Our performance was lauded
“We had invited DPR officials in Ondo State to follow us being aware that it is only they who have the statutory function to sanction erring petrol dealers
“We discovered that this particular man was always telling marketers of our movement, particularly me. We sealed a filling station in Isolo area of Akure for hoarding fuel. Okada riders had informed us of the nefarious activities of the owner of that place and one Bayduk
“We went after them and sold off the product found, leaving 500 litres being allowed desk stock. Mr Adewole unsealed the station without getting back to us. He told me, bluntly, that he was in his state. He could not be ordered around
“He also claimed to have reached out to some people in the corridors of power. He also reminded me of the limits of my power to intervene as a functionary of the State. He alluded to some provisions of Petroleum Act
“Politicians, both in and out Government, hired freelance hustlers to abuse me. I was asked questions not related to my activities with regard to the fuel crisis but my sack by the corrupt authorities of University of Ibadan.
“I was undeterred but was forced to stop due to a curious security report which painted a gloomy picture in the sector “.
All efforts to get to the DPR officials were abortive as the phone number rolled out to the public by the agency were all switched off.
But, the DPR has commenced sealing off of some fuel stations who sell above the pump price.
Shamrock Petrol station along the expressway and Fadach Petrol station along Oba Ile road were both sealed on Tuesday for selling above the official price.
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