DPR warns marketers over product distribution

Lagos, Sept. 26, 2013 (NAN) The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) on Monday warned oil marketers over illegal supply of products to some facilities without appropriate lincenses permit from the agency.

Mr Gbenga Koku, the Controller of Operations, DPR, Lagos/ Ogun gave the warning on Thursday during the 2013 Annual General Meeting of the agency with the depot owners and stakeholders in Lagos.

Koku said that despite the daunting challenges currently faced by the sector, it is still the responsibility of operators to ensure conformity within the ambit of the Laws and Regulations guiding the conduct of petroleum distribution in Nigeria,.

Accoding to him, one area of particular concern to us therefore, is the supply of petroleum products to facilities and premises without appropriate licences or permit from DPR.

“ We have severally warned marketers on these issues but sadly the practice is still prevalence. It is our intension to deploy more stringent monitoring regime in order to bring this practice to an end.

The DPR boss said that the essence of the meeting is to exchange ideas through an interactive session with a view to fostering good oil industry practices in Depot operations.

He said that in effort to streamline license renewal processes for better efficiency, renewal applications for Depot licenses are to be submitted to DPR office on time for processing.

He said that in order to avoid delays the agency will kick off 2014 renewal process as from first week of Oct.

Koku however, urged all Depots operators topm apply on time so as to conclude the process within the renewal window.

“We will continue to monitor the quality and quantity of products being received and loaded from the depots to ensure that this product meets specification and accurate measures is delivered to truckers.

“We are putting in place, ensures that will allow regular sampling of products from depots storage tanks to ensure that unwholesome products are not allowed to get into the distribution chain.

The regulator urged all operators to ensure that only accredited third part laboratories are engaged when recertifying imported products, adding that such tests should also be witnessed by DPR representative and signed off by competent personnel in the laboratory.