DPR Seals 66 Petrol Stations In PH

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), has sealed 66 petrol filling stations in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital and its environs.
The Zonal Operations Controller of DPR, Port Harcourt, Mrs Sibeudu Onyebuchi, disclosed this to The Tide yesterday in Port Harcourt.
“The DPR embarked on the surveillance of retail outlets since 14th August, 2015. A total of 476 Petrol Filling Stations have been visited by DPR officials.
“During this period, 66 filling stations have been sealed for various offences, ranging from selling above official pump price, product diversion, and under dispensing”, she said.
Onyebuchi revealed, however, that out of the 66 stations sealed between that 14th August and yesterday, about 11 have been unsealed after reverting to the sale of the products at government approved prices, and also corrected their pump measurements.
The Zonal Operational Controller further stated that the erring stations were also made to pay fines as one of their penalties.
It would be recalled that few days to the 14th August when DPR swung into action, The Tide had published a story indicating that most of the petrol stations in the state were indulging in fraudulent practices, particularly diversion of products, selling above official pump price and meter manipulation.
Some motorists, who spoke to our Correspondent, accused DPR, Port Harcourt Zone of either inaction or connivance with the marketers.
However, motorists who spoke to our correspondent hoped that with the DPR hammer on the erring Petrol Stations, the consumers could be saved from the hand of the marketers. They also called for the surveillance exercise to be sustained.

Chris Oluoh