Fuel hike: DPR sanctions 11 filling stations, gas stations for illegal operations
By Bisola Adeyemo
The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) in Abuja has sanctioned 11 filling stations for under-dispensing and selling above the official price, alongside some gas stations operating without a legal permit from ( DPR)
The Zonal Operations Controller, DPR, Abuja, Mr. Abubakar Buba, made this known to newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday.
Buba stated that the (DPR) had enhanced its surveillance all over the state to monitor filling stations to sustain compliance.
His word “We want to intensify the surveillance in all stations to make sure that all operators comply with the rules and regulations of their operations.
“We sanctioned about eight stations on Tuesday and today, three stations which you have also seen because of over pricing and under-dispensing of products.
“So far so good, there are no queues, we did not find any station hoarding but we discovered few infractions which we have noted down and they are going to pay the appropriate fine.
“The infractions are over pricing to under-dispensing,’’ Buba said.
Therefore he appealed to motorists to avoid any form of panic buying as the product was sufficient in the country and the government had no plan to increase the pump price.
Buba urged marketers to observe good operational practices that would prevent unintended water ingress into the underground storage tanks.
He further revealed that some gas plants were sealed for operating without obtaining license from the DPR.
“We are coming after filling stations that have established gas plants without licensing.
“We already have a team going round to all the stations to check all the add-ons and to make sure that all they are properly documented, have license and all the necessary approvals,” he added.
He also assured that the (DPR) would sustain the monitoring and would come after any station that would be found wanting.