BENIN CITY ––Worried by the rising cost of Petroleum products in Edo State, the state government has threatened to invoke the relevant sections of the law against marketers who engage in sharp practices.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties and Community Relations, Alhaji Sheidu Jimoh Oshioke, disclosed this during his routine monitoring of petrol stations in Benin City.

The monitoring exercise which commenced fully yesterday, according to the Special Adviser, is aimed at ensuring full compliance with regulated prices of Petroleum products.
According to him, the state Governor, Professor Oserheimen Osunbor is disturbed by the rising cost of petroleum products, especially Kerosene which is now beyond the reach of the “average man”.

The Special Adviser who was accompanied by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Duties and Community Relations, Hon. Lucky Omoregie attributed the rising cost of Kerosene to greed and hoarding of the product by marketers.

He expressed reservations that major marketers of Petroleum products were also involved in adjustment of pump metres, hoarding of the products and selling above the regulated price.

Stations so far visited include Otopec Petrol Station at Airport Road, Oando, Texaco and Zeek Oil Petrol Stations, all along Sapele Road as well as Buvel and Oando Petrol Stations at Murtala Muhammed Way and Akpakpava Road respectively.