Accusations and serious controversy have trailed the Benue State distribution of kerosene popularly referred to as ‘Kero Direct’ with about three trucks of the product diverted by top government officials.
The development has already sparked crises as officials of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Mega station in Makurdi, has allegedly pointed accusing fingers at the state government of influencing the diversion of the product to private use and denied the generality of the people the rare opportunity of benefiting from the scheme.
LEADERSHIP reliably gathered from NNPC Makurdi officials, who crave anonymity, yesterday, that when the Kero Direct scheme was launched by Governor Suswam, a few months ago, only one out of the four trucks that were allotted for the state was disbursed to consumers while three others were reportedly taken to P.Kura filling station in Makurdi.
But Kura, the owner of the station, told newsmen that the three trucks of kerosene were later removed from his station by a former commissioner in the state.
It was alleged that during the arrival of the second batch of the consignment of four trucks, last weekend, one truck was quickly taken to the filling station located opposite heavy duty Trucks Park in North Bank area of the state capital.
The filling station is said to be owned by the ADC to the governor, Mr. Dickson Pawa.
Reacting to the issue, Pawa, who denied the allegation said he was a top aide to the governor and that he cannot descend so low as to divert kerosene that was meant for members of the public.
However, members of the Benue State Task Force on sales and distribution of petroleum products have described the complaints by officials of NNPC Makurdi as rude and confrontational.