DPR Partners NSCDC To Tackle Black Market In Abuja

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) says it is partnering the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) to dismantle black market spots for petrol in Abuja.

Mrs Muinat Bello-Zagi, Zonal Head of Operations of DPR in Abuja, disclosed the arrangement in an interview with the News men on Tuesday in Abuja.

Bello-Zagi said that black market operations were complicating the petrol supply crisis in the Federal Capital Territory and environs.

According to her, the presence of those who sell fuel on the street triggers panic buying which some unscrupulous marketers always take advantage of to rip off innocent motorists.

She said that DPR was collaborating with the NSCDC to ensure that oil marketers were neither hoarding nor selling petrol to black market operators.

Bello-Zagi, who expressed concern over the activities of the black marketers in Abuja, said that the agency was poised to put an end to their activities.

She said that the agency had intensified its monitoring activities to ensure availability of petroleum products around the city.

The DPR head of operations said the agency was also monitoring the lifting of petrol by marketers from the depot to filling stations in the zone to ensure that consignments were not diverted.

“We have the check and balance to know if the marketers are hoarding or not.

“And if we catch anyone, we will report to the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) in addition to the sanction we will give them at our own end,” she said.

Bello-Zagi therefore, warned marketers not to indulge in sharp practices like hoarding of petroleum products, adding that the agency would deal with offenders.

She advised motorists not to engage in panic buying as there was enough petrol to meet their needs