DPR seals eight filling stations for “infractions”

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) in Abuja yesterday sealed about 11 fuel stations for infractions amidst intrigues over the pump Price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and prevailing implications.

Zonal Operation Controller for Abuja, Abubakar Buba, during a surveillance exercise to some petrol stations in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) warmed marketers to desist from the hoarding of the product and other infractions.

Visiting some filling stations along the Kubwa Kaduna expressway, particularly, MRS Katampe, Conoil by Dawaki, Eterna, Oando, IBWAS, and A.Y. M Ashafa all on the same axis, the team sealed MRS for hoarding of products.

At OANDO, the gas plant was sealed for operating without a license while IBWAS petrol station was sealed for selling petrol at N175 per liters to motorists.

Following a development in the southwest part of the country, where a fuel station was dispensing water to motorists due to water ingress in underground tanks, Buba warmed marketers in the FCT to adopt preventives measures and ensure good operational practices ahead of raining season.

He said all fuel stations must ensure that manholes are properly covered after every stocktaking, ensure regularly check for water using pastes during discharge and before the commencement of sales, ensure the use of tamper-proof manholes and other seal devices on petroleum products.

Buba said DPR has enhanced surveillance and monitoring of all fuel stations within and around the FCT to sustain compliance with product availability, product quality, enforcement of approved pump price and consumer protection and public safety.

According to him, hoarding, diversion, adulteration and under-dispensing shortchange the masses and would not be tolerated.