DPR warns against panic buying, stockpiling of petrol

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), in Anambra has warned members of the public against storing petroleum product in their homes to avoid possible fire outbreak.

Mr Okechukwu Okoro, Controller of DPR in charge of Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu states gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Awka on Sunday.

Okoro said motorists and other customers to desist from panic buying but instead they should buy the quantity that would be enough for their use only.

He assured the people that DPR will ensure that appropriate pricing was enforced and that no marketer hoarded the product.

“There is enough fuel in the country, there is no need for panic buying or storing of fuel in private houses, the consequences of such practice can be deadly.

“The DPR is going out every day to ensure that there is full compliance to price and supply,” he said.

Okoro warned that no marketer should hold Nigerians hostage by increasing pump price illegally because it was yuletide, noting that the federal government has not announced any change in price.

He said there would be continuous clamp down on marketers that violate the regulation in the sector, adding that customers in the zone would be protected from the antics of such marketers.

“We are not aware of some of the excuses they give for increasing pump prices, because when we ask them to provide evidence, they are not able to do so.

“We will not relent in enforcing compliance, the challenge is that soon after we leave their filling stations, they return to their nefarious activities, the assurance we are giving is that customers in the zone shall be protected,” he said.