From Mfon Ekefre, Uyo
As the countdown to the Yuletide begins, motorists, commercial, industrial and domestic consumers of fuel in Akwa Ibom State have been urged not to panic as the products will be available at all filling stations against the usual queues and stress experienced in previous celebrations.
The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Petroleum Matters, Barr. Essien Esema, who gave the assurance said government has planned ahead to check the scarcity and ensure the celebration is done with peace of mind.
Esema, who fielded questions from newsmen in his office, disclosed that about 2.794 million litres of petrol were being lifted from various depots to the state on daily basis.
He advised petroleum marketers to sell at N87 per litre, adding that anyone caught flouting the directive runs foul of the law and would be prosecuted.
The SSA asserted that the state government was poised to establish and develop a fuel depot in the state, adding that several investors have indicated interest in the project, and were waiting for when the necessary processes would commence.
Commenting on the private tank farm at Ikot Abasi, Esema said the farm could not be put to full operation due to challenges faced by the company.
According to him, the major problem is the inability of big ocean liners to berth at the depot and empty their products due to the shallowness of the river.
“The big liners conveying the fuel would stop at the deep sea and the fuel will be brought in barges and that is another financial burden on the company which may be forced to sell the products higher than the approved price,” he stated.
He affirmed that monitors were spread across the 31 local government areas of the state to enforce compliance, and that any marketer flouting the law would have his station sealed by the relevant authority.
However, Esema commend security agents in their determined effort to enforce compliance by the marketers.
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