Bayelsa Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) on Monday commenced a joint monitoring exercise to check sharp practices by fuel dealers in the state.

The joint team visited the NNPC Mega Station, NNPC franchise stations and some independent marketers in Yenagoa metropolis.

Speaking with newsmen during the inspection, Mr Asuquo Antai, Operations Controller of DPR in Bayelsa, said that the monitoring exercise was to compel marketers who received products from Pipeline and Products Marketing Company (PPMC) to sell at approved prices.

Antai noted that more products are being allocated to the state but appealed PPMC to allocate more products to Bayelsa to meet the daily need of 825,000 litres.

He said that currently the state gets 125,000 to 250,000 liters daily.

The operations controller noted that the inspection team monitored under dispensing of products as well as pricing and had compelled the stations visited to comply with regulations.

He said that the DPR had sanctioned some 16 marketers for sharp practices within the past one week and will not relent in wielding the big stick.

Mr Desmond Agu, Bayelsa Commandant of NSCDC, commended DPR for ensuring that residents in Bayelsa were not exploited by unscrupulous marketers.

He warned illegal roadside fuel dealers popularly called black market to desist from the act or risk forfeiting of the products.

He said that the NSCDC was committed to providing adequate security cover to DPR officials in carrying out their regulatory functions.