Majority of petrol marketers in Kogi State are yet to comply with the directive of the Federal Government on the N10 reduction in the pump price of petrol from N97 to N87 per litre.
A check by correspondents of the News Agency of Nigeria in some major towns in Kogi State showed that about 95 per cent of the marketers still sold at the old price of N97 per litre.
In Okene and Kabba, most of the filling stations were selling at N97 per litre to motorists.
Some of the petrol attendants said that they were simply following the instructions from their managers.
They explained that the old products bought before the pump price reduction was being sold.
Government-owned NNPC petrol station at Obaro Way in Kabba also sold petrol at N97 per litre.
Although the managers declined any interview, one of the attendants simply said: “We are selling at N97 per litre because we are having old products.”
NAN recalls the Department of Petroleum Resources earlier on Monday closed Biodun Ojo and Associates petrol refilling stations in Lokoja for flouting government directives.
Meanwhile, some stations in Lokoja reopened for business on Wednesday and sold petrol to commuters at N87 per litre.
Austine John, a motorist, urged the DPR to show commitment in enforcing the new pump price across the nation.
Also in Kebbi State, independent petroleum marketers in Birnin Kebbi and its environs still sell above the pump price.
Though the Federal Government announced the reduction on Sunday, marketers in Kebbi State still sell at N106 per litre.
In Birnin Kebbi, the commodity is being sold for between N97 and N106 per litre at most of the major and independent petroleum marketers’ filling stations.
The Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation’s mega station in Birnin Kebbi and other locations were closed.
All efforts to speak with the management proved abortive as they declined comments on the issue.
Aliyu Isah, a commercial driver, told NAN that he was aware of the reduction, but wondered why the filling stations are yet to comply.
Isah said: “The adherence to the reduction in pump price will reduce the recent increase in prices of goods and services.”
He urged petroleum marketers and distributors to comply with the reduction in price as directed by the Federal Government.
When contacted, the North West Zonal National Chairman of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Muhammad Jega, described the reduction as a welcome development.
Jega urged the general public to exercise patience as many marketers were still selling the old stock.