A cute kerosene scarcity has hit parts of Kwara State, especially the Ilorin metropolis.

Our correspondent, who monitored the situation in Ilorin on Friday, observed that many petrol stations were not selling kerosene to customers.

Only one petrol station in the Sango area sold the scarce commodity, though at the cost of N135 per litre.

When approached by Saturday PUNCH, the attendants declined to comment on the cause of the scarcity.

Some residents, who spoke to our correspondent, said the problem had persisted for over a week. They urged the government to urgently address the situation, adding that the scarcity had unleashed untold hardship on them.

The Operations Controller of the Department of Petroleum Resources in Ilorin, Mr. Amos Jokodola, described the scarcity as unacceptable.

Jokodola said it was not the responsibility of the DPR to ensure supply and distribution of petroleum products, adding that its function involved monitoring and regulation.

He said the product available to Kwara residents was far below the demand.

"This shortage is unacceptable. We are getting about a certain per cent of our consumption rate from PPMC. So it has to do with the demand and supply. We are not in charge of the supply or distribution of petroleum products.

"Our duties focus on monitoring and regulation. But we are aware that there is scarcity of kerosene. The kerosene we have in the state is not sufficient for the public and we hope that very soon the shortfall will be addressed. We just got about 20 - 25 per cent of our consumption rate," he said

The Deport Manager, Pipelines And Products Marketing Company Limited, Ilorin, Mr. Lawrence Akpan said he was not authorised to speak with journalists on the issue. He advised our correspondent to contact the PPMC zonal or head offices.