Niger State Government has warned fuel marketers in the state against hoarding fuel, promising to take decisive action against those found hoarding the commodity.
The Deputy Governor of the state, Comrade Yakubu Garba, made this declaration shortly after inspecting some fuel stations in Minna and its environs, Wednesday.
He said the essence of democracy was to improve the socio-economic and welfare of the people, but that with this latest development on fuel subsidy removal, things will turn the other way for the people.
The deputy governor disclosed that the move was a directive from Governor Umar Mohammed Bago, to ensure that fuel marketers did not hide under the subsidy removal to cause untold hardship on the masses by hoarding the fuel.
He also warned in strong terms that, any fuel station found wanting will be dealt with decisively, as the government will ensure that such fuel marketer's license was withdrawn and sent packing from the state.
He disclosed that the fuel subsidy removal policy was in place since about six months before their coming to power, and that they will do everything possible to ensure that they mitigate the pains that will accompanied the implementation of the policy.
"Right now all the governors are in a meeting with the President in Abuja, and they will also proceed to Kaduna for Governors' meeting where they will take a decision that will be submitted to the President.
"I want to assure all Nigerlites that whatever the outcome of the meeting, Niger state government under the leadership of Hon. Umar Mohammed Bago, will make sure that it did something that will cushion the effects of the policy," said the deputy governor.
He equally appealed to Nigerlites to be patient as the governors were doing their best to have a head way, adding that they should not allow themselves to be used by some people to cause any uproar in the state as a result of the subsidy removal.
Speaking to journalists also, the state Chairman of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Hon. Adamu Ahmed Erena, said the association was on the same page with the government, but that where the fuel was not available, there would be nothing for their members to sale.
Also, the state Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Abdulkareem Lafene, declared that they were not in support of the removal of the fuel subsidy, adding that the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the labour union will meet soon to take decision which he did not rule out the possibility of a strike action.
The Deputy Governor was accompanied for the inspection by the state Commissioner of Police, the state Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), the Permanent Secretary Government House, state Chairman of IPMAN and that of NLC, as well as other stakeholders.
The outgoing Deputy Governor of Niger state, Alh. Ahmed Mohammed Ketso, held a valedictory meeting with staff of his office and handed over notes and other documents relating to his office which symbolizes instrument of power, to the incoming Deputy Governor of the state, Comrade Yakubu Garba.
Speaking at the meeting held at the conference room of the Deputy Governor's office at the Government House, Minna, Ahmed Ketso said it was a historic moment for him because since the history of the state, there had never been an official handing over between an out going and incoming Deputy Governor.
He informed the incoming deputy governor that the office has no specified role in the constitution, except what the Governor assigned to him, advising him that his loyalty to his principal should not be short of 100 percent.
Ahmed Ketso also informed the incoming that as a Deputy Governor he must exercise a lot of patience but should not allow anyone to look down on his office, adding that he should not allow any vacuum to be created whenever his boss was out of town.
He disclosed that he had enjoyed working with all the staff under his office and that he was able to succeed because of their support and commitment to their work, saying there were no lazy staff in the office of the Deputy Governor because he had zero tolerance for laziness.
He said that he interacts with his staff as friends and family members and there was no barrier between him and them, urging the incoming Deputy Governor to do same and not to entertain gossips in order to succeed.
He disclosed that himself and the incoming Governor, as well as the Deputy were family and that the incoming government is their baby and would have to nurture it to stand on its feet firmly.
While appreciating the staff for the support and cooperation given to him throughout his eight years in office, Ahmed Ketso also urged them to accord same to the incoming Deputy Governor, adding that he was going to miss the office and all the staff.
In his response, the incoming Deputy Governor, Comrade Yakubu Garba, said no doubt the eight years of the outgoing government had added value to the state, adding no one was perfect to do it all as perfection was for God alone.
He disclosed that his loyalty will not remain with his principal, Rt. Hon. Umar Mohammed Bago only, but all of them who had preceeded them.
The incoming Deputy Governor also observed that Niger state is their own and they must work towards its betterment, saying as someone coming from the civil servants' constituency he sees his position as another opportunity to serve the state and humanity.
He promised to also operate an open door policy and work as a family with his staff members to add value to the state for the benefit of Nigerlites.
Highlights of the event were the handing over of instrument of power by the outgoing to the incoming as well as special prayers for both leaders
