Abuja-The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) on Wednesday said it would soon start to demolish illegal fuel retail outlets in Abuja and Niger.
The Zonal Controller of Operation, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Mr Mohammed Usman, said this during a presentation at the DPR and oil Marketers Annual General Meeting in Abuja.
Usman, who said the agency discovered 67 illegal retail outlets in the Federal Capital Territory and Niger, as at December 2014, added that eight were located in FCT while 59 in Niger.
The controller, however, said 10 of the outlets had been regularised and noted that nine of them were in Abuja while one was in Niger.
He, therefore, called on the owners to regularise them.
“All illegal retail outlets that have town planning authority approval should come forward for immediate regularisation. Meanwhile, demolition of all non-regulated retail outlets shall commence soon,” he said.
He said 307stations were sanctioned for various offences in Abuja as against 326 stations in 2013, adding that offences included under-dispensing, diversion, adulteration, overpricing of petroleum products.
He attributed the reduction to regular surveillance and enforcement of compliance by the department in Abuja.
He said that 96 cases of pipeline vandalism were recorded in 2014.
Usman said there were 589 licensed retail outlets comprising 142 major marketers and 447 independent marketers in the FCT and Niger.
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Usman said 135 retail outlets licences expired by Dec. 31 2014, adding that any marketer that failed to renew licence in the next two weeks wouldl not be able to lift or bridge products.
He said that vandalism occurred along the three PPMC stations includeing Abaji, Izom and Sarkin Pawa.
He warned that “the new government approved price for PMS is now N87 per litre while DPK remains N50 per litre; any marketer found selling above the stipulated price will be sanctioned accordingly”.
He assured marketers that the department would ensure continuous monitoring of products distribution and on the spot checks including festive period.
Usman added that the department had commenced electronic processing and issuance of Oil and Gas Industry Permit (OGISP).
He said it would be issued within 72 hours of submission of all requirements.
He disclosed that accidents reported in 2014 were minimal as eight incidents/accidents with seven fatalities and 16 injuries were recorded.
“Investigations were carried out on all incidents recorded in 2014; meanwhile all incidents/accidents must be reported to DPR within 24 hours of occurrence.”(NAN)
