By Ummi Ismaeel,
Minna
Niger State chapter of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has shut down eight petrol stations found wanting.
State DPR Operations Controller, Abdullahi Isah Jankara, disclosed this in his office.
He said that all the eight filling stations affected during the routine inspection of filling stations to ensure compliant would remain sealed till further notice.
Jankara said that the exercise was a continuous process, adding that the defaulting petrol stations were found at Agaie, Lapai, Suleja and Bida local government areas of the state.
According to him, despite warnings some dealers still compromised, adding, “Two surveillance teams were dispatched to Suleja area and Lapai, Agaie and Bida areas yesterday led by Head of Downstream, Malam Ahmed Emimaru, and Head of Operations, Sunday John Sanchi.
“They visited about 63 stations. Sealed three and five respectively for various offences and irregularities. The DPR will ensure petroleum products are sold at government regulated price and rules and regulations are strictly followed without compromise”.
The teams during the visit also arrested many filling stations workers for various offences which included; under dispersion, safety facility reasons, license and lack of regulated price selling and other irregularities like turning filling stations into car parks.
“Many of the stations have to be sealed for allowing several cars to be parked inside the filling stations because the DPR cares more about the safety of the citizens. We need to ensure safety for smooth operations and not to endanger the lives of Nigerians”. Jankara further hinted that the DPR would sustain its unscheduled visits and surveillance across Niger state to achieve the mandate of ensuring that all licensed filling stations sell at regulated price and as well avoid related irregularities at filing stations.