Edo State Government Commence Inspection To Check Fuel Scarcity, Price Hike

The Edo State Government has started an investigation to look into hoarding, shortages of fuel, and price increases for premium motor spirit in the state.

To check for hoarding and to address the issues of artificial scarcity and unjustified price increases of petroleum products in the state, the task force established to control the product examined fuel stations in the Benin Metropolis on Tuesday.

Ferguson Enabulele, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Mining, told reporters during the inspection that the state government would continue to consult with the appropriate parties on the subject.

He said, “We discovered under-dispensing in some of these stations, over pricing which cannot be fully justified as some are saying the sector has been fully deregulated but there is no formal letter from the state government concerning that. So, we still stand with the old prices of these products.”

Enabulele noted, “It’s a bit difficult to reach a specific position on this issue now (pricing). We will hold further conversations with the DPR Office in the State and thereafter, inform the state governor of our own findings.

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“We will invite owners of filling stations to engage with them also. It is when we have that information that we will now know what to do because as we stand, there is no formal authority deregulating that sector but as against what most of these petrol stations are acting on – as if the sector has been fully deregulated and they have control over their pricing.”

He added, “We empathize with our people and assure them that the government is taking all necessary steps to ensure that they get these products at affordable prices.

“I want to appeal to everyone to be patient as there is going to be more engagement with the DPR tomorrow after which we will come out with an authoritative position on this issue.”

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