The Ogun State Government has threatened to close down filling stations hoarding petrol since the subsidy on it was removed by the president.
This was said by the administration on Friday, when a task force was established to keep an eye on the sale of petroleum products in the state.
Ola Aikulola, the chairman of the task force and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment, warned that any erring filling station found hoarding or inappropriately dispensing the products would be shut down and have its license and Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) revoked.
The task force comprises government officials and security agencies, as well as a former Special Assistant to the Governor on Security, Mr. Biyi Odubote.
Speaking, Aikulola stated that the step was a result of the hike in fuel prices and hoarding of petrol by some popular filling stations across the state.
Aikulola disclosed that the Governor Dapo Abiodun-led administration wants to ensure that motorists do not suffer any form of hardship in securing the product, adding that its hike or hoarding would have negative effects on the economy and all areas of life.
He said the governor has appealed to filling stations to be responsible so as to avoid any form of inappropriate action.
According to him, “the task force is empowered to enforce its mandate. We are hoping that filling stations will oblige us, but if it has to get to the level where we have to shut a station, the government will not hesitate to do so.”
He also called on motorists across the state to be well behaved, assuring that the government would not allow their interests to be trampled upon.
