Yemisi Izuora
The Department of Petroleum (DPR) has raised concern over the illegal sales of fuel and kerosene from licensed filling stations in the country at night or odd hours of the day.
The industry regulator observed that the intention was to cheat unsuspecting customers.
DPR also said in its latest circular obtained by Oriental News Nigeria that some unscrupulous filling station owners are evading inspection of their station by DPR’s monitoring officials because they dispense petroleum products above the pump price and are under-dispensing same to customers.
According to the circular, The activity is both illegal and criminal and therefore all licensees of such stations are warned that henceforth,DPR would hold licence of any station found to be using their facilities for illegal sale of Premium Motors Spirit(PMS) and kerosene responsible.
The public is therefore advised against patronizing such facilities,as doing so would be at their own risk.
The agency also raised the alarm over the construction of unapproved filling stations in the thirty six states of the country,including Abuja.
It said unapproved and illegally constructed petroleum filling stations are used in perpetrating other illegal and criminal activities such as the sale of adulterated petroleum products and under-dispensing quantities.
The agency further observed proliferation of unapproved filling stations in the country and warned the public against patronizing such stations.
It solicits the cooperation of relevant agencies of the government not only in nipping the practice in the bud,but also in restoring sanity and order in oil and gas operation in Nigeria in line with global best standards.
It said:’’Particularly,the Department of Petroleum Resources hereby solicits the cooperation and assistance of the various Urban and Regional Planning Authorities in Nigeria,the Nigeria Police and the Fire Service Department of various state governments across the country to desist from granting building plan approvals,police clearance and fire service approvals respectively to any person or company for the purpose of constructing and operating filling stations in any location in Nigeria,except the person or company first presents its site approval letter from the Department of Petroleum Resources(DPR).