29 August 2015, Owerri – No fewer than 28 petrol stations have been shut down in Imo State by the Directorate of Petroleum Resources (DPR), for selling petrol above the government regulated price of N87 and engaging in other sharp practices which include under dispensing, adulteration and hoarding of petroleum products.
The Zonal Assistant Director Operations, Mr. Edwin Ona, who briefed journalists at the directorate’s headquarters in Owerri, the Imo State capital, said the closure of private filling stations engaging in similar offences strengthened the resolve of the DPR, adding that it will no longer be business as usual for independent marketers who violate government regulations.
He however disclosed that for the stations to be unsealed, its management would have met with the laid down procedures including payment of the minimum official fine of N100, 000.
Some of the stations sealed include Eberelinks, Port Harcourt road; Masters Energy, Onitsha road; Slotts Nig. Ltd, Nekede road; Forte Oil, Onitsha road; Sobaz, Onitsha road; Whiteman Oil & Gas, Port Harcourt road, and others.
Meanwhile, the Zonal Operations Controller, Ndy Akpambo, who decried the fraudulent activities of the independent marketers, stated: “The measures taken against the defaulting marketers are within the ambit of our regulation but aside from the shutting down of the petrol stations, operational licenses of marketers can also be out rightly revoked depending on the offence committed.”
He further stated that it was worrisome for marketers to engage in sharp practices, even when they knew the consequences that await them, as the agency would go the extra mile to ensure that they are caught and punished.
Akpamgbo therefore appealed to the public to report those erring filling stations that had their stations located in the sub-urban areas so that the agency can bring them to book.
*Amby Uneze – Thisday