The Commissioner for Special Duties in Anambra, Mr Vinccent Ezenwajiaku, on Wednesday appealed to petroleum marketers to stop impoverishing the people by increasing the pump price of petrol.
Addressing newsmen in Awka, Ezenwajiaku said petrol was still a regulated essential product which did not have an alternative, adding that any illegal increase in its pump price would have a negative impact on the people.
“The government wishes to appeal to marketers to handle this ugly situation with a human face because fuel does not have an alternative. With the pump prices ranging between N130.00 and N150.00 in Anambra, the masses, our brothers and sisters, are overburdened; let us not profiteer.
“I must commend the efforts of the petrol dealers and the independent marketers for providing the products. We hope this situation will normalise soon and the masses should bear with the federal government”, he said.
The commissioner also announced the appointment of Mr Nnamsom Nwafor-Orizu as the new chairman of the state’s committee on the procurement, pricing, regulation and distribution of petroleum products.
He said the appointment followed the expiration of the tenure of Mr Okwudili Obi on Feb. 20, having served the committee for more than eight years.
Ezenwajiaku promised that the ministry, through the committee, would ensure an efficient distribution of the products in the state through a healthy collaboration.
In his remarks, Nwafor-Orizu expressed appreciation to the state government for giving him the opportunity to contribute his quota to the development of the state.
He promised to serve the people with diligence using his experience in the committee over the years. (NAN)
