Sumbawanga — RUKWA Regional Commissioner, Engineer Stella Manyanya is planning to take punitive measures against owners of filling stations who have intentionally created fuel shortage to make more profit.

The decision comes as petrol dealers in Sumbawanga town have refused to sell gas to customers, immediately after the EWURA reduced petrol price by 306/- per litre. Some dishonest traders have taken advantage of the situation, selling the commodity at between 5,000 to 10,000 shillings per litre.

Addressing a press conference , Ms Manyanya said she was prompted to issue the warning, to make sure that Sumbawanga residents buy petrol, using the recommended EWURA prices."As a government top official in this region I should make sure that traders abide by rules and regulations", she added.

Eng Manyanya further said that her office was liaising with EWURA senior officials to contemplate on legal measures against such law defaulters.

However , a cross- section of both citizens and motorists who were interviewed by 'Sunday News' at different intervals blamed EWURA for announcing the new petrol prices without alerting the owners of the filling stations.