NSCDC moves against diversion, hoarding of petroleum products in Bauchi

From: RUTH David , Bauchi

Bauchi State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has launched an operation to bring about an end to the shortage of petroleum products in the state.

Disclosing this to press men in his office while parading 40 suspected illegal petroleum products sellers,the State Commandant of the NSCDC, Mr. Donatus Ikemefuna said the suspects were caught with three drums and 82 kegs of 25 litres capacity filled with petrol.

He said that the daily manifest of all the petrol allocations to Bauchi State from Kano depot is being sent to his office which is enough to serve the state but long queues still persist in all filling stations.

473,976 litres of Petrol was allocated to the state on the 21st of March,2016 which he said would have eased the scarcity being experienced, but the Commandant attributed the persistent scarcity of the products in the state to the activities of some miscreants among the filling station managers who either sell the products at night to illegal dealers at exorbitant prices in kegs and drums or divert the products to the hinterland and sell above the official price.

He then warned people to desist from any act that will endanger their lives and called on youths to venture into lawful means of livelihood.

Ikemefuna thanked the people of Bauchi State for being patient, urging them to continue to be law abiding and support security agencies in their quest to tackle unwholesome practices like diversions, hoarding and selling above official prices in Bauchi State.

According to him,the NSCDC checkmates vandalism of petroleum pipelines, power cables,water board pipes,NIPOST and other public utilities and is also empowered to search any premises of suspected illegal dealers in petroleum products or any public utility.