Gov. AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara has cautioned oil marketers to avoid imposing needless hardship on the citizens through creation of artificial fuel scarcity in the state.

The governor’s warning is contained in a statement issued by his chief press secretary, Mr Rafiu Ajakaye, on Tuesday in Ilorin.

Mr AbdulRazaq said that he was seriously concerned about reports of sudden resurgence of fuel scarcity in different parts of the state.

“This is totally uncalled for,” he said, urging fuel marketers to immediately discharge fuel to the public under the normal pricing system since they had bought what they currently had at subsidised rates.

“Creating artificial scarcity amounts to an intentional misrepresentation of the statement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on the question of fuel subsidy.

“People should not be made to undergo any hardship,” he said.

The governor urged the marketers to desist from anything that could be tantamount to economic sabotage.

“Hoarding fuel bought at subsidised price and creating panic in the state is opportunistic and will not be condoned,” he said.

Mr AbdulRazaq said that his Deputy, Mr Kayode Alabi, would be leading a task force to ensure that no fuel marketer caused undue hardship to citizens of the state.

“Fuel stations are to note that the Task Force will dip into their pits. Any filling station found to be hoarding fuel will have its certificate of occupancy revoked, among other penalties,” he warned.

(NAN)