The Kwara State government, through the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) Chairman and Governor of the State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has cautioned fuel marketers against creating artificial fuel scarcity in the state and beyond following the recent declaration by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to end fuel subsidy in the country.
This warning comes after reports of arbitrary increase in the pump price of fuel and artificial scarcity by marketers in Kwara State. The government has urged fuel marketers to immediately discharge fuel to the public under the normal pricing system since they had bought what they currently have at subsidized rates.
In a statement released by the Governor’s spokesperson, Rafiu Ajakaye, the Governor expressed serious concern over the sudden fuel scarcity and warned that creating artificial scarcity amounts to intentional misrepresentation of the statement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the question of fuel subsidy. The Governor has warned that fuel marketers who hoard fuel bought at subsidized prices and create panic in the state will face penalties.
The statement also indicated that the Deputy Governor, Mr. Kayode Alabi, will lead a task force to ensure that no fuel marketer causes undue hardship to the citizens of Kwara State. Any filling stations found to be hoarding fuel will have their Certificate of Occupancy (CofO) revoked, and other penalties will be enforced.
The Kwara State government has called on fuel marketers to desist from anything that qualifies as economic sabotage of the people and to ensure that they do not impose unnecessary hardship on the citizens by creating artificial fuel scarcity.
