Delta State Govt. sets up taskforce to monitor petrol distribution, enforces official price

Oredola Adeola

The Delta State Government has set up a task force to monitor the distribution of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol, and to guarantee the sufficiency and availability of the product at an appropriate price in the state.

Chief Patrick Ukah, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), made this known in a statement obtained by EnergyDay on Thursday.

According to him, the government decided to take measures to monitor the distribution of petroleum products from the point of delivery by the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to the various discharge outlets across the state.

He said, “This was initiated as a matter of urgency to save Deltans and residents of the state from the stress and strains they are currently going through due to the non-availability of the product.

The Delta State SSG further appealed to major and independent oil marketers in the state to continue to show empathy towards the suffering of fellow citizens. He also charged the marketers to ensure best practices in product delivery as the present circumstances warrant.

The Delta State Government however cautioned that no one would be allowed to exploit the situation by stirring up violence for selfish gains.

Members of the monitoring team include the Commissioner for Oil and Gas as Chairman, representatives of the Commissioner for Information, the Nigeria Police, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Army, and the Navy.

Other members include representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Tanker Drivers Union, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) Rex Anighoro, while the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Oil and Gas will serve as Secretary.