Niger set to check fuel scarcity

The government in Niger has constituted a committee to monitor artificial scarcity of petrol and arbitrary pricing of the product across the state.

A statement issued by Alhaji Ahmed Matane, Secretary to the Niger Government in Minna on Tuesday said the directive was given by Gov. Abubakar Sani-Bello of the state.

He said that the constitution of the committee was as a result of persistent fuel scarcity being witnessed in the state as a result of the alleged arbitrary pricing and hoarding of the product.

Matane said that the committee was to ensure strict compliance with the approved allocation to filling stations in the state and retail prices for petrol.

He explained that the people of the state were grappled by the difficulties occasioned by the artificial scarcity and arbitrary pricing of petrol.

According to him, there is need for government to take drastic position with a view to ameliorating the situation.

He noted that the state government would deal decisively or sanction any filling station not dispensing its allocation and selling above the stipulated approved pump prices of petrol in the state.

Members of the committee were drawn from the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, security agencies and government officials.