Petrol station owners in Rivers State have issued a threat to halt operations following the alleged seizure and emptying of their tankers, carrying 130,000 litres of diesel, by the Nigerian Army.
The Chairman of the Petroleum Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) in Rivers State, Francis Dimkpa, made this declaration while speaking to journalists in Port Harcourt.
According to Dimkpa, two tankers loaded with Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) were leaving the Onne Depot in Eleme Local Government Area when they were allegedly intercepted by personnel from the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army.
The tankers were reportedly taken to the division’s headquarters in Port Harcourt.
After the interception, PETROAN met with the Army, and an agreement was reached for the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission to take samples from the tankers for further investigation.
However, a few days later, the Army informed PETROAN to retrieve the tankers from Ahoada, about 40 kilometres from Port Harcourt. Upon arrival, they found the tankers had been emptied, with the 130,000 litres of diesel discharged.
Dimkpa warned that if the relevant authorities, including the Rivers State Government, fail to act on the matter, petrol stations across the state would be forced to close all retail outlets in protest.