From Bassey Anthony, Uyo
Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Eket Field Office, has sealed 13 petrol stations for various offences, including non-renewal of licence and operating without approval.
The Operations Controller of DPR, Mr. Taminobinabo Kingsley-Sundaye, who disclosed this during a routine surveillance in Uyo yesterday, said the stations were closed down in Uyo, Essien Udim and Ukana.
He observed that out of those 13 filling stations affected, seven were sealed on the grounds of non- approval to build or operate while six refused to renew their licenses.
“Yesterday, the team of DPR on routine surveillance went out to some areas in Akwa Ibom to ensure compliance in terms of standard, safety engineering standard and operating standard,” he said.
He noted that the department had given amnesty approach to defaulters, but they refused to comply with the guidelines and standard of operations.
Kingsley-Sundaye said: “Come lets us access the facilities with our regulations, standard and guidelines, those that met the standard and guidelines had been penalised and regularise.
“There are some people who are adamant and they feel the system is weak or the government is weak to make them to obey the law. We will continue to do what is right.”
He explained that the DPR was collaborating with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to arrest oil thieves in the state.
He said the DPR would prosecute petroleum marketers who operate without licence.
“The law has said that if your business licence has expired, you don’t have the authority to continue doing such business,” he said.
Kingsley-Sundaye said the department was collaborating with NSCDC to arrest defaulters of illegal oil and gas facilities.
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“It’s a criminal act when you continue to operate illegally; not a civil matter and the law enforcement agencies will assist us to do what is right. It is cheaper for you to make law than to break it,” he said.
He advised some of the petroleum marketers to approach DPR before building filling stations or siting oil and gas facilities in the state.
He noted that the department would give the petroleum marketers guidelines, directives and advise on what to do right during the building of the station.
Kingsley-Sundaye noted that the department was making a compilation of illegal filling stations in the state.
He added that the department was partnering with the state government to demolish illegal filling stations in the state.
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