The Imo State House of Assembly has set up a joint taskforce to monitor independent oil marketers and ensure that they stop taking undue advantage of the present fuel scarcity.

While the fuel scarcity persisted, the lawmakers said it was concerned about the groaning agony faced by Imo citizens in getting fuel, as oil marketers had exploited the masses.

The taskforce is made up of some lawmakers, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Independent Petroleum Marketers, and Ministry of Petroleum in the state.

They were also mandated to see how the fuel crisis in the state could be alleviated.

At a meeting with all stakeholders in the oil sector held at the Imo state House of Assembly in Owerri, the Chairman, House Committee on Petroleum in the Imo State House of Assembly, Henry Ezediaro, expressed displeasure with the sharp practices by independent oil marketers.

The meeting pointed out that oil marketers were selling petrol at 200 Naira and above which is far above the Federal Government’s approved price of 87 Naira.

They also pointed out that the DPR in the state had not lived up to expectation in sanctioning erring oil marketers who hoard fuel or sell above the government’s approved price.

After the meeting, the Zonal Operations Controller of the DPR in the state, Andy Akpamgbo, told reporters that the DPR in the state would not hesitate to sanction any erring petrol station. (Channels TV)

•Photo shows fuel queue.