Victor EzejaEdo State Government has said it is stepping up efforts to find lasting solutions to distribution challenges and price hikes of petroleum products in the state, noting that the state has received 784,000 litres of fuel, which will be adequately monitored to ensure that the product is not diverted or sold at exorbitant prices to citizens.
The Edo State Commissioner for Mining and Energy, Ethan Uzamere, while briefing journalists in Benin City, said the government is setting up a committee to address petroleum product scarcity and price hikes in the state.
He said: “We have received 784,000 litres of PMS in Edo State and we will continue to inform Edo people and citizens how much we receive daily as the task force to be inaugurated will work with other stakeholders to let the people know the filling stations that received products and how much each receives.
“The government has heard the cry of the people and is taking steps to ensure the availability of PMS. A task force will be set up to ensure more PMS and safety of the filling stations.”
The Commissioner reassured that before the end of Tuesday 31st of January 2023, the names of members of the task force on monitoring of PMS will be made known to the people of the State.
Special Adviser to the Edo State Governor on Media Projects, Mr Crusoe Osagie, said the members of the committee will be made up of the private sector, civil society groups, government representatives, media and marketers, who will go around the State to monitor product pricing and distribution, and checkmate the powers of distributors and marketers.
“The Government is committed to this exercise and it will leave no stone unturned to ensure the welfare and well-being of the people. We are warning people who jack up and hike their prices to desist forthwith as the Committee will identify such persons and the government will ensure their prosecution. Edo people are the number one priority of the present administration,” Osagie stated.
Recall that a group of angry youths in Edo State had embarked on protests on Monday and Tuesday against the lingering scarcity of fuel which got worse recently with the unprecedented price hike. They blocked major roads within Benin City, including the Benin-Lagos Expressway which left many travellers stranded.
READ ALSO: Fuel Scarcity Protest In Edo Enters Day 2, As Youths Block Benin-Lagos Expressway
In response, the state governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, pledged to undertake some actions to address the challenge, which include setting up a committee to monitor the distribution and pricing of petrol at various retail outlets across the state.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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