TheCable

Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, governor of Kwara, says attempts by petrol marketers to impose hardship on citizens through the creation of artificial petrol scarcity in the state were needless and defaulters would be penalised.

Abdulrazaq, in a statement by Rafiu Ajakaye, his spokesperson, said the reports of a sudden resurgence of petrol scarcity in different parts of the state were worrisome.

The governor said marketers must, with immediate effect, discharge petrol to the public under the normal pricing system since they had bought what they currently had at subsidised rates.

“This is totally uncalled for,” he said.

“Creating artificial scarcity amounts to an intentional misrepresentation of the statement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on the question of fuel subsidy.

“People should not be made to undergo any hardship.”

Abdulrazaq also urged the marketers to desist from anything that could be tantamount to economic sabotage.

“Hoarding fuel bought at subsidised price and creating panic in the state is opportunistic and will not be condoned,” he said.

Speaking further on enforcement and monitoring, Abdulrazaq said Kayode Alabi, his deputy, would be leading a task force to ensure that no marketer caused undue hardship to citizens of the state.

“Fuel stations are to note that the task force will dip into their pits. Any filling station found to be hoarding fuel will have its certificate of occupancy revoked, among other penalties,” he added.