By Podo Sunday
Despite the adjustment of the price of premium motor spirit (PMS) by the Federal Government last week from N145 per litre to N125, many petrol stations in Badagry metropolis and it environs continue the flagrant disobedience of the directive by dispensing the product at N145 without any angst.
A group of Concern Youth of Badagry and indigenous media team led by Podo Sunday and Comrades Sunday Aiyedogbon and Monday Honfovu on Sunday evening visited twenty petrol stations in Badagry, Ajara, Aradagun, Mowo, Ikoga and Oko – Afo Magbon axis only to discover that only three out of them were dispensing fuel at N125 per litre, they include, Mobile Petrol Station, Joseph Dosu Way Badagry, God Decision Petroleum (GDP) Limca Junction and Total Petrol Station, Ibereko.
During cross-examination, a dispenser at Esfos Petrol Station Aradagun maintained that he had the authority of his station manager to be selling at N145, effort to meet with the manager was rebuffed as he was said not to be in office. Another independent petrol station, Amoten at Mosafejo were also dispensing at N145.
The team also visited two stations belonging to Jackos Petroleum at Badagry roundabout and Ajara and they were busy selling at N145, the arguments of the managers were that they were still dispensing old stock which many customers vehemently said was not true.
However, findings revealed that lack of monitoring and enforcement by relevant authorities, especially the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), the Nigerian Civil Defence and Security Corps (NSDSC) and the Nigeria Police to ensure compliance and/or probable connivance with petroleum marketers were largely responsible for this unpatriotic act of sabotage.
The group is, therefore, using this medium to appeal to the Federal Government and agencies in charge of enforcement to swing into action and punish all violators.
