PHOTO: arnapress.kz
NSCDC seizes 30,000 litres of adulterated products, arrests two in Anambra
The Kano State Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has distanced itself from purported plans to sell Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) above the regulated pump price of N145 per litre.
Chairman of the association, Bashir DanMallam, said this yesterday while speaking with journalists in Kano.
Citing the Ore IPMAN depot, which claimed to have been selling above government controlled price due to discrepancies from independent depot owners, DanMallam insisted that the Kano zone would not be part of any artificial increase in pump prices of petroleum products.
However, the Ore depot branch of IPMAN had recently threatened to increase price of PMS due to private depot owners’ decision to increase the price to between N136.50 and N137 per litre.
He stressed that any attempt to increase pump price now may amount to sabotage, particularly when petroleum products are available in the 21 NNPC depots nationwide.
DanMallam said if the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) could sustain the supply of PMS at N133.28 per litre, the consequences of patronising Independent Depot Owners (IDO) who sell above the official price should not be generalised, adding that IPMAN was committed to government’s regulated pricing.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) in Anambra State yesterday said it arrested two suspects over adulterated petroleum products in different parts of the state.
Parading the suspects at the Command’s Headquarters in Awka, the state capital, NSCDC Commandant, Mrs. Obiageli Obiagulu, said the suspects allegedly possessed over 30,000 litres of adulterated petroleum products.
She said two other persons had earlier been granted bail, adding that the suspects were arrested with J5 Peugeot car with Kano registration number: TRN 44 XQ at Ihiala following a tip-off.
She explained that the command also arrested a truck with Anambra registration number ATN: 996 ZK at Uga in Aguata area with 25, 000 litres of suspected adulterated petroleum product.
Obiagulu lamented that although the suspects escaped on sighting NSCDC officials, security men succeeded in impounding their vehicle, adding that they were arrested with a truck at Ekwulobia on March 21, 2019 having concealed their products with cartons of milk.
“We also arrested a truck with Abuja registration number: BUR 748 AX carrying 1, 655 litres of adulterated petroleum products on March 21,” she added.
