BY LAW IBITOYE
Ekiti State government has been blamed for artificial scarcity and fuel price increase by petroleum marketers, saying government was insensitive to the plight of the masses.
Residents of the state disclosed this in Ado Ekiti during a tour of filling stations in the state capital. The residents who said despite the increase in the prices of petrol, they spent several hours on the queue before they could buy the product.
They said most of the filling stations in the state hoard fuel and refused to sell to the masses , adding that those that manage to dispel fuel sell a litre for between #670- #700 amid the economic hardship being faced by Nigerians.
They alleged government task force of collecting bribe from petroleum marketers, saying that was why they felt unconcerned and looked away on the sharp practices of the marketers .
A check from neighbouring states shown that prices of fuel was not increased and there was no queue in their filling stations. Motorists and the masses called on Governor Oyebanji to clamp down on petroleum dealers who derived pleasure in milking and suffering the masses.
When contacted on telephone, Chairman, Petroleum Product Regulation and Consumer Protection Agency in Ekiti State, Hon. Arinka Odunayo denied the bribery allegations.
