….Demands Public Apology
The Chairman, Petroleum Product Regulation and Consumer Protection Agency in Ekiti state, Hon. Odunayo Arinka has responded to an online News publication alleging him of being ineffective to bring the situation of fuel scarcity under control as demands of his agency.
The PPRCPA Chairman in his response which was made available to Heritagenewsng.com faulted round off news for its false report over the current fuel scarcity and the alleged Ineffectiveness of the agency clarifying that PPRCPA has no power over the fuel pricing but only to supervise and ensure compliance of filling stations to petroleum laws which he and his team has been doing since assumption of office.
Below is the full statement from the Petroleum Task Force Chairman;
*SLANDER!!!*
Firstly, Contrary to roundoff news outlet claiming “Those who spoke with our correspondent affirmed that the situation was peculiar to Ekiti because information from other states shows that the product sells between #580-630.”
NBS report from yesterday and I quote “The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) says the average retail price of a litre of petrol increased to N696.79 as at March 2024. On state profile analysis, Taraba paid the highest average retail price of N761.92 per litre, followed by Yobe and Adamawa at N749.09 and N735.00, respectively.
Conversely, the bureau said Lagos, Oyo, and Ogun paid the lowest average retail price at N630.75, N645.88 and N651.25.
The report said that the analysis by zones showed that the North-East zone recorded the highest average retail price in March 2024 at N732.37, while the South-West recorded the lowest price at N654.24 per litre.”
Secondly,
Ineffective? Ineffective you say?
I have no power over the fuel pricing, even the Government doesn’t have the power to regulate petroleum price.
“Failed”?
My team and I’s duty is basically to supervise petroleum industries and to ensure their compliance to petroleum laws, Which I believe I have done with the utmost importance.
Global oil prices, subsidy removal, exchange rate, and the likes are contributing to these fluctuating fuel prices not to mention that it’s a nationwide issue and not “peculiar” to Ekiti state.
I reckon you take time to understand the intricate factors influencing petrol prices. Not to write this outrageous articles like this one. And as the journalist you claim to be, Do your research well!
I honestly do deserve an public apology from Roundoff news for this provocative slander!
Thank you
*_PPRCPA Chairman, Hon Odunayo Arinka._*