By correspondent in Lokoja.
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has sealed off over 50 filling stations in Kogi state, north-central Nigeria, for operating without an NMDPRA storage sales license and under dispensing.
The State Coordinator of NMDPRA, Engr. Ogbe Orits Godwin, who disclosed this to journalists in Lokoja on Monday, said the action was in line with the Federal Government's directives that, marketers must apply online and obtain their station's license in line with the guidelines as enshrined in the Petroleum Inspectorate Act
He hinted that five of the filling stations sealed off were under dispensing Premium Motor Spirit, (PMS), popularly called petrol to customers in Kogi State.
Godwin noted that the filling stations were shut down after surveillance carried out by NMDPRA task force teams on Monday.
Some of the filling stations affected, according to him, for under-dispensing fuel are: I.A.Muye, located in Nataco, Biodun, and Associates filling station, Total filling station Felele, Calma global solutions along Ganaja road, NNPC mega station after commissioners quarters Ganja road and Nipco filling station located in phase one Lokoja.
The State Coordinator of NMDPRA while acknowledging the impact of the fuel subsidy removal on Nigerians, said the agency had discovered some sharp practices by petroleum marketers in the State and warned that anyone caught would be sanctioned with immediate effect.
The NMDPRA boss debunked reports making the round that members of the. the organization had been compromised from doing their work, called on the general public to report any petroleum marketer under dispensing fuel across the 21 local government areas of the state.
He assured that NMDPRA would continue to monitor the sale of premium motor spirit to bring culprits to book.
"More than 50 filling stations are under seal in Kogi State. Some of the filling stations were sealed for under-dispensing.
"They are to pay a fine for an infraction to the federation account as appropriate and also those without a license or operating illegally shall face the full wrath of the law. Sanitation is a continuous process as Surveillance is Routinely Conducted," he stressed.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
"We will not rest until NMDPRA clamp down on all oil marketers engaging in sharp practices in Kogi State. As a reputable Government agency, we won't fold our arms and allow some selfish element to sabotage Government effort to ameliorate the suffering of the masses" he started.
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