The Department of
Petroleum Resources (DPR) said 67 illegal retail outlets were discovered in the Federal Capital Territory and Niger as at December 2014.
The DPR Abuja Zonal Operation spokesperson, Mr Mohammed Saidu, stated this in an interview with newsmen recently.
Saidu said eight of the stations were located in FCT while 59 in Niger.
The spokesperson said most of the filling stations selling petrol above the official pump price of N87 per litre were illegal.
According to him, most of the stations are culpable in flouting the January 18 Federal Government’s directive on the reduction of pump price from N97 to N87.
The spokesperson, who said most of the stations were along Bwari-Jere-Kaduna Road, called on their owners to come for immediate regularisation, failure of which they would have them demolished.
“All illegal retail outlets that have town planning authority approval should come forward for immediate regularisation. Meanwhile, demolition of all non-regulated retail outlets shall commence soon,” he said.
According to him, the department will also take decisive action on any filling station found cheating on motorists.
“The new government approved price for petrol is N87 per litre while kerosene remains N50 per litre; any marketer found selling above the stipulated prices will be sanctioned accordingly.”
He assured that the department would ensure continuous monitoring of products distribution and on the spot checks at all time, including festive period.