DPR shuts 500 filling stations for sharp practice

By The Citizen

The Department of Petroleum Resources has shut over 500 filling stations across the country for under dispensing petroleum products and for other related offences.

Addressing journalists during a tour of filling stations in the Idimu/Igando area of Lagos State to confirm allegations of illegal profiteering and pump altering on Thursday, the Manager, Downstream, Lagos Zone, DPR, Mr. Kunle Soyebo, said the purpose of the exercise was to ensure strict adherence to rules and regulations in the petroleum industry.

At the end of the inspection, six filling stations were shut.

The Forte Oil station in Idimu area was sealed for under dispensing fuel with customers made to go with eight litres instead of 10 litres paid for.

Other filling station affected by the shutdown action were Safe Trip Oil, First Royal Oil, Omolad Oil and Services, Walesaf and Fawa, all located along the Idimu/Igando road.

In the course of the inspection, the DPR team discovered that some stations were over dispensing, while some major oil marketers' meters were accurate.

The pumps of Total, Mobil and Conoil were passed to be right by the team.

The inspection team also discovered that none of the filling station sold above the regulated pump price of N97.

Soyebo said, 'The exercise, which you have just witnessed, is carried out by our men twice in week. Any filling station operator that fails to comply with rules and regulation will have his licence revoked.

'For the affected stations, we have issued them letters to report to our office and if they fail to show up, their licences will be revoked. So far, we have been able to shut over 500 filling stations across the country. These stations will remain shut until they comply with our rules and regulations.'

He stressed the need for filling station operators to do what was right, adding that they should stop under dispensing and put adequate safety measures in place.