The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Warri Zonal Office has sealed six petro retail outlets and an illegal gas refiling plant over sharp practices in Delta.
Mr Goziem Chukwurah, NMDPRA, Head of Operations in Warri office on Tuesday led a surveillance team of the regulatory authority, to seal the stations in Uvwie and Udu Local Government Areas of the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the filling stations were sealed over offences bordering on under-dispensing and lack of operational licenses.
NAN also reports that the defaulters included Bwede filling station; Pius A Idoghor Oil and Gas; Eshegbe Oil; Fetega Oil and Sole Energy Enterprise all in Orhuwhorun town, Udu Local Government Area.
Others are, Falcon Bay Oil at PTI junction and another Falcon Bay Oil located on the DSC expressway both in Uvwie Local Government Area.
Chukwurah addressed newsmen at the end of the exercise on behalf of the NMDPRA Coordinator in Delta, Mr Victor Ohwodiasa.
Ohwodiasa said that the purpose of the exercise was to ensure that consumers get value for their money.
“Most of the petrol stations we visited were selling without operational licenses, we have to shut down them and invite the owners to our office.
“We sealed six petrol retail outlets and an illegal gas plant for various offenses ranging from lack of operational licenses and under-dispensing of petroleum products to the consumers,” he said.
Ohwodiasa urged consumers to report any petroleum marketer who indulged in sharp practices to the regulatory body for appropriate action.
The coordinator assured that the exercise would be a continuous one until the marketers do the right thing.
Ohwodiasa warned marketers to desist from illegalities to avoid their stations being closed.
Meanwhile, a staff of Falcon Bay Oil was apprehended for violating the NMDPRA’s seal on their dispensing machine.
The suspect was consequently handed over to the appropriate authority for prosecution.
Source- The Guardian Newspaper.