Nasarawa State Governor Umaru Al-Makura has launched the first phase of the NNPC/Capital Oil Kero-Direct Sale Scheme with a purchase of 120,000 litres of the product for onward? sale to the people of the state.
Launching the scheme in Lafia,? Governor Al-Makura said it would go a long way in ameliorating the hardship faced by the people as a result of the scarcity and high cost of kerosene.
He said his administration was committed to the success of the initiative as it had put in place all necessary infrastructure, including surface tanks, mobile dispensing trucks as well as? site for loading and offloading the product.
Almakura explained that the three dispensing trucks procured by the state government would be deployed to the three senatorial districts of the state to ensure that the product reaches the rural dwellers at N50 per litre.
According to the governor, the state government had signed a Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) with NNPC for the sustainability of the scheme to ensure the consistent provision of 120,000 litres of kerosene every two weeks.
He also added that the scheme would curtail deforestation and environmental degradation occasioned by the constant felling of trees for firewood.
Almakura however, warned against the diversion of the product and called on all stakeholders to join hands to ensure the success of the scheme.
“I would like to warn government officials and others involved in the scheme against sabotaging our effort by collaborating with black marketers to divert the product and sell at exorbitant rate to the people,” he said.