DPR Seals 24 Unlicenced Filling Stations

The Department of Pe
troleum Resources (DPR), has sealed 24 filling stations for operating without licences as well as under-dispensing of  petroleum products in Akwa Ibom State.
DPR’s Operations Controller in charge of Akwa Ibom and Cross River, Mr Bassey Nkanga, told newsmen in Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom.
He said 16 stations were sealed in the last one week for failure to possess licences and eight were shutdown for under dispensing.
Nkanga described the acts as illegal, stressing that those under dispensing would be fined. “If the pumps in your station are under dispensing, you will pay a fine of N100, 000 per pump in your station’’ .
Nkanga said DPR would hand over the stations that were not complying with law enforcement agencies for further prosecution of their relevant officials.
He enjoined operators of stations to desist from ‘sharp practices’, saying that any filling station found to be under-dispensing of petroleum products would be prosecuted.
The controller said that some stations were sealed in Ibesikpo Asutan, Etinan, Essien Udim and Ikot Abasi.
He noted that the department commenced ‘the operation show your licences’ in its area of operation, saying the exercise was routine across the states.
He explained that Federal Government’s removing of subsidy would, in the long run be beneficial as it would help to create employment opportunities as well as promote investments in the sector.
Nkanga, then, appealed to all to accept the deregulation, saying it was the only key to full enjoyment of petroleum products at all times.