Scarcity: Kwara task force visits filling stations, seizes ‘jerrycans containing hoarded petrol’

A task force set up by the Kwara government has embarked on monitoring and supervision of filling stations over the lingering petrol scarcity in the state.

The task force, led by Kayode Alabi, deputy governor of the state, visited several petrol stations in the Ilorin metropolis to supervise their operations.

Modupe Joel, chief press secretary to the deputy governor, in a statement on Saturday, said filling stations that were not dispensing to the satisfaction of customers were directed to do so with immediate effect.

“The task force also ensured that stations, which hoarded fuel before, started dispensing, a step that has started easing the stress of the scarcity being experienced in recent times,” the statement reads.

“Some jerrycans containing hoarded premium motor spirit were also seized from some petrol stations, while the task force cautioned against such behaviour which imposes untold hardship on the people.

“The fuel stations were generally implored to support the government in building a peaceful society.”

In recent weeks, there have been protests in parts of the country over the hike in the price of petrol as well as scarcity of the product.

Reacting to the development, Mele Kyari, group chief executive officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, had said greed in the petroleum value chain is a major reason for the scarcity.

“It is a chain of relationships. It is a chain of engagement and we take responsibility. We are the single point of communication for this. We understand this very perfectly but the reality today is that there are a number of things happening,” he said.

“There is greed. Greed is not in the NNPC. Greed is across the value chain; it is all the way from the depots to the fuel stations to the trucks to those you meet on the road.”