By Samuel Oyadongha, Yenagoa
The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) monitoring Taskforce Fridayy nabbed six members of a cartel suspected to be involved in illegal buying and selling of kerosene in Yenagoa the Bayelsa State capital.
Comptroller of Operations DPR in Bayelsa, Dr. Duncan Eradiri said the arrests was made at the NNPC mega station along Sani Abacha way following a tip off from members of the public.
The taskforce members on arrival, Eradiri said discovered the cartel which comes with between five and 10 jerry cans to purchase kerosene at the approved N50 per litre only to re-sell same product outside the filling station gate at exorbitant prices to those who are supposed to be the end users of the product.
According to him, some members of the cartel resell the product under a tree at the adjacent Ox-Bow Lake road where they have several Jerry cans filled with kerosene.
The comptroller also disclosed that the DPR also foiled plans to hoard a tanker load of kerosene containing about 33,000 litres and seized over 100 Jerry cans used by members of the cartel.
Eradiri who warned filling station operators to comply with their operational guidelines said “it is illegal for anyone to buy kerosene from filling station and re-sell it as dealers. The product is for the end users just as one can drive into a petrol station and purchase petrol for his car.”
He advised that anyone who wants to be a dealer should either acquire a kerosene licence or peddling licence as according to him “peddlers sell to surface tank owners who in turn sell to members of the public.”
When contacted, the Bayelsa Police PRO, Mr. Eguavoen Emokpae (ASP) confirmed the arrest.
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Petroleum taskforce arrests six over sharp practices