There is imminent fuel scarcity in Ilorin, Kwara State following unavailability of the commodity in many filling stations in the city.

Daily Trust gathered that most of the filling stations had run out of stock. Most of the filling stations visited by Daily Trust correspondent were not selling the product yesterday.

It was, however, gathered that the scarcity was induced by the anticipated rise in fuel price and the threat by the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) to embark on a strike following alleged move by the federal government to sell major refineries.

It would be recalled that the federal government had said last week that it had no plan to increase pump price or sell refineries. However the state's Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) called for calm, attributing the scarcity to the yuletide.

The Operations Controller of DPR, Engr. Amos Jokodola, told Daily Trust correspondent that many of the petrol tanker drivers were yet to start lifting the commodity from designated depots.

He said, "We wouldn't want to feign ignorance of the looming scarcity of fuel in Ilorin. I want to believe that this is as a result of the yuletide break. Many of the petrol tanker drivers are yet to resume work after the break, and as I'm talking you now, we have enough fuel in the depot that can go round.

"Let me also inform you that some filling stations said they want to increase the price because they got it at N96 per litre or there about, but we told them that they cannot sell at unauthorized price. The only option left for you is to close their stations instead of indulging in sharp practices, which we will never tolerate. Our advice is for the people not to panic because we are on ground", he said.