Following series of alleged sharp practices by some marketers of petroleum products, the Kano office of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has sealed 25 filling stations for various offences, ranging from fuel diversion and under-dispensing of premium motor spirit.
Speaking to news men in Kano Thursday shortly after taking a random sampling of some of the erring filling stations which were so far under lock and key as a result of violations, Operations Controller, Kano office of DPR, Alhaji Musa Z. Tambawal said the crackdown became necessary in view of the need to sanitise the operations of filling stations in the state.
He said the action was targeted at all fuel stations in Kano and Jigawa states to ensure that they all operate in strict compliance with petroleum regulations and standard, adding that the exercise was aimed at ensuring that regulated products were sold at approved pump price while all available pumps at filling stations function and dispense accurately.
He, however, stated that all consigned products were discharged at their designated outlets within the shortest possible time and that only stations with valid licence were allowed to operate in order to safeguard operational standard, safety of facilities and that of members of the public.
He said from 1st July to date, 217 filling had been visited in Kano and Jigawa states and were all found selling the product at or below the approved price of N145 per litre of PMS and that 25 stations were placed under seal for various offences while 8 stations were found under-dispensing, thereby short changing unsuspecting customers positing that 14 stations were sanctioned for outright diversion, while six were operating with expired licences.
He said “to curtail these unwholesome activities and sharp practices, the defaulting filling stations would remain sealed, until corrective measures were implemented and imposed sanctions and penalties met.
“We wish to seize this opportunity to warn petroleum marketing companies to desist from sharp practices as severe weight of the law awaits any defaulting company,” he warned.
