NMDPRA seals off 50 filling stations in Kogi

Ibrahim Oyewale in Lokoja

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has sealed off over 50 filling stations for operating without NMDPRA storage and sales licence.

The State Coordinator of NMDPRA, Mr. Ogbe Orits Godwin, who disclosed this to journalists in Lokoja yesterday, said this was in line with the federal government’s directives that marketers must apply online and obtain their stations licence in line with the guidelines as enshrined in the  Petroleum Inspectorate Act(PIA)

He explained  that five of the filling stations sealed 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 a surveillance exercise was carried out by NMDPRA task force teams  yesterday.

Other filling stations sealed for under dispensing fuel, according him, 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 Ganaja road and NIPCO filling station located in phase one Lokoja.

The State Coordinator of NMDPRA acknowledging the impact of the fuel Subsidy removal on Nigerians said the agency have discovered some sharp practices by petroleum marketers in the State adding that, anyone
caught will be immediately sanctioned.

The NMDPRA boss, who debunked  reports making the round that they have been compromised from doing their work, noted that the general public should report any petroleum marketer under dispensing fuel across the 21 Locally Government of Kogi State.

He reiterated that NMDPRA will continue to monitor the sale of premium motor spirit and to ensure that, those engaging in sharp practices are brought to book.

“More than 50 filling stations are under seal in Kogi State while some of the filling stations were sealed for under dispensing. They are to pay fine for infraction to the federation account as appropriate and also those without license or operating illegally shall also face the full wrath of the law. The Sanitation is a continuous process as Surveillance is Routinely Conducted.

“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 stated.