Rights Activist Says NNPC Mgt, IPMAN Chairman, Enamor, To Blame For Fuel Hike, Scarcity

A rights activist, Comr.(Amb) Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen has condemned the hike in fuel price in Delta State, saying that this is against the Federal Government approved pump price of #165 to #250.

Speaking to journalists on Wednesday, he added that this is an act of extortion and a deliberate attempt to inflict serious pains on the people despite the hardship faced in the country.

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Comr. Agberen stated that the sudden increase in pump price in Delta state and mostly in the city of Warri, Udu, Uvwie, Sapele, Abraka and Agbor, became worse this week.

Speaking further, Comr. Agberen stated that last week, he bought fuel for #200 and that just 3 days ago, he bought same products for #220 and yesterday he also bought same product for #250 which he stressed is outside the stipulated Federal Government pump price of #165.

He further said that in the course of investigation carried out with members of his team; the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. (NNPC) depots have refused to sell fuel products to the independent marketers but have decided to sell only to private depots who then take advantage of the situation to hike the price.

He continued: “Several marketers opted for private depots so as to keep their businesses moving but on the other hand, inflicting pains on the masses and same time committing a crime of extortion.”

While narrating the ordeal to newsmen, Comr. Agberen stated that the Chairman, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Delta State Branch, Zino Enamor should be called to order as the sudden hike in fuel price particularly in Delta State is highly condemnable and cannot be justified by any means.

He said that if the NNPC management has failed in their duty, it is the responsibility of IPMAN to sort for possible medium to address the issues rather than collaborating with NNPC management to extort the populace by selling against the approved federal government pump price of #165, despite the economic situation of the country.

Comr. Agberen expressed his dissatisfaction with the NNPC Ld. management and IPMAN, stating that the human rights community would not hesitate to lead a protest against the awful treatment dished out on the masses, by shutting down fuel stations selling against the stipulated Federal Government pump price if IPMAN in particular fails to address the issues through relevant authorities and the fuel price goes back to normal across the state.

Comr. Agberen registered his fears on the effect of the hike in price if allowed to continue without given attention as transportation and other businesses across the state might increase services rendered to the masses if an action is not taken by relevant authorities.

Comr. Agberen further made an appeal to the Federal Government to prevail on the management of NNPC Ltd. to make use of Warri depot in order for them to get fuel at government approved price.