Imo: DPR Warns Petroleum Marketers

The management of
the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, has warned all marketers that it would not hesitate to commensurately sanction those who indulge in petroleum despicable acts in the procurement and distribution of petroleum products.
The Zonal DPR Operations Controller, Ogbuefi Morrison Nwokedi, read the riot act at a one-day sensitisation seminar organised by DPR for members of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, and other stakeholders in Owerri.
“Henceforth, the brazen violation of sealed fuel stations by marketers, would attract a penalty of N1 million, in addition to closure for a period of six months. Subsequent violation would attract seizure of operation license,” Nwokedi said.
While warning that the retail outlets of violators would be sealed, the zonal DPR boss equally stated that anybody found to be operating with invalid, adulterated or expired licence, would attract instant closure of the erring marketer.
Ogbuefi Nwokedi, who was not particularly happy at the way DPR officers carrying out their legitimate duties were being molested by aggressive marketers, equally kicked against the diversion and hoarding of fuel, as well as abandonment of the retail outlets on sighting DPR officials.
“When we seal any fuel station, it is for a particular purpose. Again, whenever this occurs, do not defy   our action because the penalty is always grave and we must enforce it because we must do our job as monitors and regulators,” he said.