The Delta and Edo chapters of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and Petroleum Tanker Drivers (PTD) on Friday disrupted activities at Rainoil depot, Oghara in Delta.

Members of the two associations protested alleged increase in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) by the management of the Rainoil Depot located in Ethiope West Local Government Area of the state.

The protesters numbering hundreds, barricaded the entrance of the depot, chanting solidarity songs and prevented tankers owned by Rainoil loading product.

They called on Petroleum Product Pricing and Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) and other relevant agencies to intervene and sanction the owners of the depot.

Messrs Alabi Muyi and Joseph Okolie, who led the protesters, said that Rainoil refused to sell petrol to their members unless they pay N105 per litre as against N84.50 approved by the Federal Government.

They decried the hardship marketers and tanker drivers undergo in the hands of the depot owners and urged the government to intervene.

They claimed that while Rainoil filling stations in Oghara and its environs sell petrol at N86.50 per litre, the depot sold to them and owners of filling stations at N105 per litre.

“How do you expect us to sell to the public? You can see that at the end of the day, it is the masses that will suffer.

“They should supply us what we have paid for or else there will not be peace.”

Efforts to reach the management of Rainoil for comment was unsuccessful as the company's security personnel prevented newsmen for gaining access into the depot.

When contacted, the Head, Public Affairs Unit, DPR, Mr Goddey Agusa maintained that the duty of the DPR was to checkmate erring marketers.

He vowed that the regulatory body would not compromise on that. (NAN)

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