Yerima Kolomi

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Friday began a nationwide crackdown on illegal fuel vendors also known as black marketer operators.

Addressing journalists in Abuja at the end of its first clampdown operation, the Head, Downstream Operations, DPR Zonal office, Abuja, Mr. Yerima Kolomi, said the decision to rid the streets of illegal petrol vendors was informed by the fact that their activities constitute an embarrassment to the regulators, operators and the Federal Government.

He noted that it takes only a licenced person to deal on petroleum products in Nigeria.

"Their activities contribute to the fuel crisis because people who sell it to them tend to hoard the product so they can sell to them at night. So we are out to sanitise and make sure they are off the street," kolomi said. He stated that the major challenge facing the enforcement exercise was the need for back-up from security agents. According to him: "Some of these boys are violent, they were even stoning our vehicle.