C'River Govt Seeks Collaboration With Security Agencies To Curb Fuel Hoarding, Price Hike

C'River Govt Seeks Collaboration With Security Agencies To Curb Fuel Hoarding, Price Hike   

               

Eriacy Confidence Oba

Joint Task Force On Petroleum 

The Cross River State Government, through its Joint Task Force On petroleum Monitoring, has sought the collaboration of security agencies in the state to curb fuel hoarding, price hike and indiscriminate parking of trucks along the highway.

Speaking during separate visits to the Nigerian Navy and the Department of State Services, in Calabar, the Chairman, Joint Task Force On Petroleum Monitoring, Hon. Peter Okim, commended the agencies for their efforts in ensuring the safety and security of lives and properties in the state, while appealing for assistance in the fight against products diversion and other malpractices in the petroleum sector. He noted that, even though there have been challenges, the Task Force has been able to clear trucks parked along the Murtala Mohammed  highway and prevailed on marketers to sell products at the regulated price. 

"We have succeeded in clearing trucks parked on the highway that before now constituted great risk to motorists and residents of the state.  Our next move is to clamp down on marketers hoarding, diverting or selling products above the regulated price." Hon. Okim said. 

Also speaking, the Secretary of the team, Boniface Okache disclosed that the state governor,  Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu has ordered the closure of petrol stations and other related businesses bent on sabotaging the efforts of government in ensuring the survival of Cross Riverians, amidst rising costs of living. He maintained that any petrol station that refuses to sell at the approved price is not ready to remain in business. 

" However, the government is willing and ready to provide an enabling environment for all businesses to thrive, provided that they operate within the guidelines". He added. 

On their part, the navy Commander, Nigerian Navy Ship Victory (NNSV), Commodore VB Gbaranwi and his counterpart in the department for state Services(DSS), John Sokoya welcomed the team, while commending them for the successes recorded thus far. They observed that, going by the level of rot in the sector, it would require a committed and decisive team to correct the anomalies. They further expressed their willingness and readiness to partner with the Joint Task Force on petroleum to arrest the situation.