Yuletide: DPR Warns Marketers of Product Hoarding, Adulteration …Urges Nigerians to avoid panic buying

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) on Wednesday warned all Petroleum Products Marketers to desist from any form of profiteering, ranging from petroleum products diversion, hoarding, adulteration, under-dispensing, overpricing and other sharp practices to avoid severe sanctions that might be meted on any defaulting marketer.

It also said it has intensified its petroleum products monitoring and surveillance activities towards ensuring a hitch-free yuletide in Abuja and its environs.

Zonal Operations Controller, Abuja, Buba Abubakar, stated this in a statement made available to journalists yesterday in Abuja.

 

According to him, "DPR also enjoins the public to avoid panic buying of product and go about their normal businesses as the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has assured the country of availability of petroleum products that can sustain it throughout the yuletide and beyond.

"Therefore, DPR hereby warned marketers to desist from sharp practices that might lead them into trouble," the statement said.

The Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mele Kolo Kyari, and other stakeholders had last Tuesday assured Nigerians that there would be enough petrol in the country for the yuletide season and beyond.

This assurance was also on the heel of the guarantee by the Inspector General of Police (IG), Muhammed Adamu, that enhanced security will curb fuel diversion.

Kyari gave the assurance at a meeting of the stakeholders and other government agencies on supplies of petroleum products during the yuletide season, which was chaired by the Chief of Staff to the president, Abba Kyari.

He said they had taken stock of their readiness to meet supplies and distribution of petroleum products across the country for the festive period.

According to him, “We are very sure today that we have a very robust supply plan not just for Christmas but beyond.

"We are assuring Nigerians that the NNPC has made adequate arrangement to make sufficient supply of petroleum products. If there are any issues, we have come together with other agencies of government to ensure those issues are resolved to ensure Nigerians have a Merry Christmas this year.”