Kerosene dealers across Delta State have raised the alarm over suspected adulterated product in circulation in all the markets.
Some of the dealers in Asaba who spoke to DAILY POST yesterday, alleged that illegal refined kerosene was currently in circulation in all the markets, disclosing that the suspected adulterated kerosene sells cheaper than the product from the Nigerian National Petroleum Co-operation (NNPC).
One of the dealers, Mrs. Betty Afam told DAILY POST, ” This cheap kerosene product is not like the real one we used to buy, it is very clear as it emits offensive odour, and most times it catches fire so easily, we are afraid of this product, it has flooded all the markets across Delta State, particularly in Asaba and its environs”.
It was gathered that the suspected adulterated kerosene products are allegedly produced from the creeks by operators of illegal refineries in the Niger-Delta region.
However, there have been series of illegal refineries uncovered by operatives of the Nigeria Navy (NNS) in the region in the past three weeks especially by ex-militants to cushion effects of the high prices of product from the Nigeria National Petroleum Co-operation (NNPC).
But the flea officer commanding (FOC) central Naval Command, (CNC), Rear Admiral Mohammed Garba who spoke to DAILY POST on telephone, said ,“the Navy operatives had destroyed over 42 illegal refinery camps, and about 3, 000 metric tons of suspected stolen crude oil and 1, 000 metric tons of illegally refined diesel oil well”.
Investigation revealed that the suspected adulterated kerosene products are from illegal creeks of Warri-South West, Warri South and Warri North with yellow colour and emitting offensive odour, and in most cases sell for N250 as against between N300 and N350 from the NNPC thereby attracting more patronage from unsuspecting customers.
A customer who often buys from the creek, Ejiro, Emmanuel told DAILY POST, “I often buy the kerosene products from the creek, they are cheaper and they sell for N250 unlike NNPC’s N350”.
Several traders in Asaba, Warri, Ughelli, Agbor who spoke to DAILY POST on condition of anonymity, said the adulterated kerosene products have flooded the markets as unsuspecting users often queue for it whenever the products come into markets.
Rear Admiral Garba while reacting on the development, however assured members of the public of bringing the operators to book soon.
Officials of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) who did not want their names in the print blamed the illegality on desperation by jobless Niger-Delta Youths, adding that efforts were being made to arrest the situation.
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