From Paul Osuyi, Asaba
The Delta State Government has set up a product monitoring team to monitor the distribution of petrol in order to ensure the availability of the product as well as its appropriate pricing across the state.
The government in a special announcement explained that the step was taken to monitor the distribution of the petroleum product from the point of delivery by the Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) to the various discharge outlets across the state.
The announcement which was signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Patrick Ukah, said it has become a matter of urgent importance to save Deltans and residents from the stress and strains they are currently going through due to the non-availability of the product.
Ukah appealed to major marketers of the product to continue to show empathy over the suffering of fellow citizens and to do their utmost best to ensure best practices in product delivery as the present circumstances warrant.
The statement also expressed the government’s gratitude to Deltans and residents of the state for the resilience they have demonstrated in these trying times, even as it urged that no one should exploit the situation by stirring up violence for selfish gains.
Members of the monitoring team include the Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Emmanuel Amgbaduba as chairman; representatives of the Commissioner for Information, the Nigeria Police, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Army and the Navy.
Other members include representatives of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN),Tanker Drivers Union, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Rex Anighoro, while the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Oil and Gas will serve as Secretary.