Okpebholo lacks powers to regulate petroleum products or seal fuel stations on metering issues. - Osaze Edigin

*BITTER TRUTH:* Edo State government lacks the constitutional powers to regulate petroleum products or seal any fuel stations on metering issues. That's the job of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission, formerly the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR). Any taskforce set up by the state government MUST work with the regulatory body for effectiveness. While we are all shortchanged by the activities of these unscrupulous filling stations, government must be seen doing things in accordance with the law. Setting up a taskforce isn't the main issue, it's that the endpoint is compromise of intention and money making opportunity for the 'boys'. I was part of a petroleum taskforce as a civil society component during Obaseki's administration, we worked with the constitutionally recognized body and other critical stakeholders for enforcement. Can someone help check on Mr. Amen Osunde who held away during Oshiomhole's administration as taskforce chairman on petroleum and was allegedly built a filling station from the process. We all know how these things work. It's usually a case of initial gragra. Items on the exclusive legislative list cannot be operated by state governments. Let's do things in civility for citizens to emulate. The state government should be duly guided against avoidable litigations. A taskforce must also be under the relevant ministry for proper accountability. Leftist Osazee Edigin AICMC 29th May, 2025 osazedigin@gmail.com