Ondo Fuel Marketers Close Shops, Reject N86.50 Per Litre

By James Sowole in Akure

Petroleum Filling Stations and Owners Association on Wednesday ordered their members to close their outlets in Akure, Ondo State capital.

The closure was sequel to the alleged  harassment and intimidation of members by government agencies, including the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the police and the task force of the state on petroleum.

The resolution to close the outlets was disclosed to newsmen during a chat by the Chairman and Secretary of the Association, Prince Adefolajimi Adedapo and Micael Ale respectively.

Adedapo said members of the association were being forced to sell Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS) at N86.50 by government agencies while many of their stations had been sealed.

“Since we have not gotten the products at the approved price and that we buy at depot between ,135 and N145 per litre in Lagos and Warri, there is no way we could sell the product at approved price.

“Since we are in business to make profit and we are under obligation to pay taxes, we find it difficult to sell at a loss”, Adedapo said.