In the bid to stem the ugly trend of brewing fuel crisis that had partly paralysed business activities in Ilorin, Kwara State capital, a total of 18 filling stations were sanctioned in the wake of the crisis by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) in the last one week.

The stations allegedly indulged in various illicit practices ranging from cheating, over-pricing and under-delivering of petroleum products to the dismay of consumers. Some of the stations were also fined N2million depending on the gravity of the alleged unwholesome sharp practices.

Specifically, two stations of A.A Lawal in Offa and Oduwoye Brothers were suspended for one month for tampering with DPR seal and selling at night. With the suspension, there would be embargo for lifting and operating until the period elapses. This is in addition to N2million fine imposed on them for the sharp practices. As a result of the acute fuel shortage in Ilorin city, black marketers are now making brisk business with four litres of the commodity going for N1000 in some areas known for the business within the metropolis.

For instance, some designated black markets in Maraba and Ita-Amo, within Ilorin city sold a gallon of fuel between N1000 and N1100, The Herald can authoritatively report. Following incessant sanction of errant filling stations in Ilorin, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) an umbrella body for private petroleum dealers in the state, threatened to disrupt free flow of petrol into the state if the punitive measures continued.

But the Operation Controller of the DPR in the state, Mr Salvation Philip, told The Herald yesterday that the sanctions would linger until fuel marketers conduct business in line with rules and regulations of the oil and gas industry. Philip, who spoke while monitoring fuel situation at NNPC mega station, Asa-Dam road, Ilorin, said the department would not cease imposing stiffer measures on any station found to be violating petroleum laws. He expressed displeasure that panic buying on the part of consumers was aggravating the current situation occasioned by shortage of supply of the product.

"From my experience, the supply is not that bad. We met 151,000 litres here in (NNPC) mega station and as I speak to you, a total of 19 trucks (loaded with fuel) came to Kwara on Saturday. Out of this number, 14 are for Ilorin township. Mega station alone had four trucks, that is over 200,000 litres. That is why I decided to be here as at 10am. As you can see, there is orderliness. People are buying. It is seamless. So it is not issue of availability as you can see. "The panic buying is making situation worse because when we came in here, it was so chaotic. The exit flank was blocked, so we made sure that there is exit. As you can see, there is seamless flow of vehicles.

"I advise people in the town to move over to mega (station). We want to concentrate here because they receive more product. If we can organise ourselves, the distribution will be seamless, there wouldn't be any problems.

"The sanction stands. It is through compliance to regulations and rules that the enabling environment required for business to grow and thrive will become a functional reality. The sanction stands, it is not issue of threat. We have extended a hand of fellowship, we are having a crisis situation. All hands must be on deck to make sure that this problem is solved. The issue is not about shortage, it is about making sure the little that is available reaches the people that need it", DPR boss said.

Meanwhile, findings yesterday showed that there was no respite yet on the fuel situation within Ilorin township. A handful of stations that sold were crowded as motorists and others scrambled to buy.

Attendants at the affected filling stations also took the advantage to exploit distraught consumers, forcing them to part with certain amount of money before they could procure fuel otherwise known as premium motor spirit.