Ekiti State Government, yesterday, threatened to apply sanctions on petrol marketers hoarding fuel, including payment of heavy fines or sealing of business premises.

Residents of he state have been experiencing hardship due to scarcity of fuel, as long queues have returned to few stations dispensing fuel. Checks by our reporter revealed that many fuel stations have shut down in anticipation of an increase in pump price of PMS.

When The Guardian visited some stations in the state capital, only few were selling petrol, their prices ranging from N650 to N700 per litre instead of the N580 to N610 old price of fuel.

Some residents, who spoke with our reporter, described the situation as unbearable and urged the Federal Government to restore normalcy.

MEANWHILE, it was observed that fewer vehicles are plying the roads of Ado Ekiti as many motorists have dropped their vehicles at home to use public transport.

The state secretariat car parks were scantily occupied, yesterday, with fewer vehicles, as civil servants now rely on few palliative buses provided by the government for transportation.

Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, warned owners of filling stations hoarding petroleum products to desist from the unethical practice.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Mr Yinka Oyebode, said that the governor has directed the state Task Force on Petroleum Product to ensure every filling station that has fuel sells to the public at recommended pump price.

“Any filling station found hoarding fuel will face appropriate sanctions, including payment of a heavy fine or sealing of the business premises.”