Residents of Saminaka in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State are still buying petrol above N145 per litre official pump price despite the availability of petrol across the country.

The erring fuel stations were seen selling fuel between N190 to N200 per litre, which led to the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) wielding the big stick against such filling stations in the area for committing various offences ranging from products hoarding, selling above pump price and under dispensing of petrol to motorists.

The residents who accuse some Independent petroleum marketers of deliberately sabotaging the effort of the Federal Government in ensuring products availability appealed to the relevant authorities to checkmate the unwholesome activities of such marketers.

Although there has been an increase in the supply of PMS by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation(NNPC), which has largely reduced the scarcity witnessed in December last year, many independent marketers who operate in far locations from the city centres are taking the advantage to adjust their pumps or selling above the official pump price.

The Zonal Operations Controller of the agency in Kaduna state, Isa Tafida, who led the operation, says the inspection is to gauge availability and ensure price compliance

While the increase in the supply of PMS across the country by the NNPC, the Department of Petroleum Resources says it will not relent until the owners of filling stations comply with the regulations.