… To establish Govt’s mega station, revive 3 others
Borno Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum on Friday hosted a meeting with oil industry’s key stakeholders in Borno state in effort to address issues of fuel hoarding and exploitation of citizens.
Zulum, at the government house, met officials of the Department of Petroleum Reaources, DPR; Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN; Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, and the National Association of Road Transport Owners, NARTO, all of who came on the Governor’s invitation.
The meeting discussed issues on the distribution of products with a view to protecting citizens.
Zulum commended the efforts of the DPR’s regional office in Maiduguri for its works in trying to enforce best practices amongst marketers.
The Governor announced plans by the state to establish 4 mega filling stations that will help in boosting distribution of products without threatening the investments of independent marketers.
He also said three filling stations belonging to the state government will be revived to commence operations so as to meet demands of growing population.
Zulum reassured that his administration will do everything possible to protect the rights of citizens and improve their well being.
The Governor however frowned what he described as economic sabotage by some unpatriotic marketers who try to exploit citizens.
”We know the Borno state Government is not responsible for regulation of petroleum products marketers but then, we have our own tool under the land use act of 1978. That act has empowered the state Government to not only own land but ensure legitimate use of such based on best practices. Exploiting citizens is certainly not a legitimate use of land in Borno state and we cannot fold our arms as government. We have given some directives to revisit the land ownership status of some filling stations because of their practices that are not in compliance with DPR’s regulations and we will not hesitate to take measures that will be in the overall interest of the public” Zulum warned.
That not withstanding, the Governor expressed his willingness to work with all marketers and other stakeholders across to ensure adequate supply of products based on fair trade.
