The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has warned oil marketers to desist from hoarding petroleum products or risk arrest by law enforcement agencies.
The Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, NNPC, Ndu Ughamadu, in a statement in Abuja on Monday said that the warning is sequel to the uncovering of 144 oil tankers filled with petroleum products in Kano.
According to Ughamadu, government has intervened in an industrial action embarked upon by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) over labour disputes with NECONDE Energy Services Ltd.
“NNPC warns marketers not to hoard products as law enforcement agencies, working with industry regulators, have been detailed to take appropriate measures against any defaulter.
“The Corporation further assures that there are enough petroleum products to keep the nation wet,”he said.
The NNPC Spokesperson urged motorists and other consumers of petroleum products to resist the temptation to go into panic buying.
“NNPC wishes to state that relevant government agencies are in consultation with industrial unions to arrive at an amicable resolution of issues over which there are threats of industrial action,” he said.
The Federal Government has also waded into the matter, appealing to leaders of PENGASSAN to shelve its strike over the sack of workers by NECONDE Energy Services Ltd.