In spite of the announced
reduction of the official pump price of petrol to N87 on Monday by the Federal Government, some filling stations in Port Harcourt are yet to adhere to the order.
Our correspondent who monitored some filling stations said the attendants still sell at N97.00 per litre.
At Forte Oil, Ikwerre Road Rumuodomaya in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, a litre still sold at the old price of N97.00.
When the lady attendant was asked why the station had not reverted to the new price as announced by the federal government, she refused to utter any word in response.
Even at Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation filling station also at Rumuodomaya the attendants were still selling at the same old price of N97.00 per litre.
However, one of the attendants who spoke to The Tide at Chinda Oil near the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt said, “we heard of the announcement but we have not got directive from our management to that effect”.
The attendant who pleaded anonymity said immediately such other comes, they would revert.
On Aba Road, the story remained the same with most of the attendants saying the stock was bought according to the old price and would require them to sell them out since it would amount to huge lose selling at the reduced price of N87 per litre.
A taxi driver who spoke to The Tide expresses disappointment over the refusal of marketers to obey Federal Government directive.
The taxi driver, Okwudili Amanna said, “if it is to increase the price, the attendants would have since reverted to the new price but because it is reduction in price, they are now unwilling”.
Amanna appealed to Federal Government to force the marketers to revert or sanction them.
He blamed the Federal Government for not putting in place monitoring group to enforce compliance.
Expressing an opposing view, Mr Chinyere Nwafor, “said it would be unfair to marketers if government wakes up and increase or reduce price of controversial product like fuel”.
“One would have expected that the government consults stakeholders and give certain number of days, before enforcing the new price because the marketers bought the product at old price and should be allowed to sell them at same old price, after which, the new price can become effective”.
It would be recalled that Federal Government Monday announced reduction of official pump price from N97.00 to N87.00 per liter as a result of the drop in the price of oil in the international market.

Chris Oluoh