13 August 2013, Ughelli – Amalgamation of Oil Producing Communities Youths, AOPCY, has issued a two-week ultimatum to the Depot Manager, Warri Refinery, Delta State, Engr. Ali Abdallah, to release the 50 trucks of kerosene approved by the Managing Director of Products and Pipeline Marketing Company, PPMC, Mr. Haruna Mommoh, for communities affected by last year’s flood or its members would shut down oil facilities in the communities.
Spokesman of AOPCY, Mr. William Onose, told newsmen in Ughelli, Delta State that the Depot Manager was unwilling to release the kerosene, which he noted was for the 53 communities in Ughelli North, Ughelli South, Isoko North, Isoko South, Patani, Burutu and Ndokwa West local government areas of Delta State.
According to him, the Transition Committee Chairman of Ughelli North council, Chief Friday Akpoyibo, had on behalf of the flood-ravaged communities, solicited for the purchase of 50 trucks of DPK (kerosene) at subsidised rate through Benuaks Services Limited, an independent marketer, in March.
He said: “The MD of PPMC approved the release of the 50 trucks, but the Deport Manager of Warri Refinery has been sitting on them.”
Claiming that the kerosene was currently being sold at prices ranging from N200 to N250 in the communities, he said: “The 50 trucks of DPK were meant to be distributed at subsidised rate to the affected communities.”
Onose alleged that Abdallah was insensitive to the plight of flood victims, and called for his removal as the Depot Manager.
– Festus Ahon, Vanguard