11 Filling Stations Seals By DPR Over Fuel Hike In Abuja

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has sealed 11 filling stations in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for under-dispensing and over-pricing of petrol.

The Zonal Operations Controller, DPR, Abuja, Mr. Abubakar Buba, made this known to newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday.

Buba said that the DPR had enhanced its surveillance and monitoring of all filling stations to sustain compliance.

“We want to intensify the surveillance in all stations to make sure that all operators comply to the rules and regulations of their operations.

“We sanctioned about eight stations on Tuesday and today, three stations which you have also seen because of over pricing and under-dispensing of products.

“So far so good, there are no queues, we did not find any station hoarding but we discovered few infractions which we have noted down and they are going to pay the appropriate fine.

“The infractions are over pricing to under-dispensing,’’ Buba said.

He called on motorists to avoid any form of panic buying as there was sufficiency of product in the country and government had no plan to increase the pump price.

Buba urged marketers to observe good operational practices that would prevent unintended water ingress into the underground storage tanks.

He further revealed that some gas plants were sealed for operating without obtaining license from the DPR.

“We are coming after filling stations that have established gas plants without licensing.

“We already have a team going round to all the stations to check all the add-ons and to make sure that all they are properly documented, have license and all the necessary approvals,” he added.

He also assured that the DPR would sustain the monitoring and would come after any station that would be found wanting.