The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) Kaduna Zonal office on Tuesday said it had sanctioned 10 petroleum filling stations and four liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for various offenses in the last quarter of 2019 in Kaduna.
The DPR Kaduna zonal office said it has licensed 38 LPG plants and 50 retailers to avert dangers and risk associated with decanting gas in unfavourable conditions.
The DPR North West Zonal Operational Controller, Kaduna, Malam Isa Tafida, said on Tuesday in Kaduna. He said the 10 service stations and four LGP plants were sealed for failing to comply with the agency’s Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).
Tafida said some of the filling stations were sealed for offenses ranging from pump under-delivery, diversion and non-compliance to safety regulations. He said officials of DPR had visited 768 filling stations and 38 LGP plants in the last quarter of the year to ensure the stations met the operational standards of serving the motorists and general consumers.
“The department was able to achieve this through intensified monitoring activities and constant contact and synergy with all the stakeholders in the downstream sector within the zone. Four LGP plants were sealed for installing and upgrading without approval, contravening safety regulations and non-conformity to standard operating procedure,“ he said.
According to the official, the agency had intercepted large consignment of adulterated Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) destined for consumption on various occasions: “these products were quarantined and re-blended to meet standard specification before being allowed to be sold to the public. DPR had ensured availability of unadulterated petroleum products in the zone throughout the festive period in compliance with our mandate and in accordance with Federal Government directives.
“In line with the FGN aspiration of LPG penetration, prevent indiscriminate cutting down of trees and checkmate desert encroachment, DPR has encouraged LPG utilization and usage in domestic energy market. The DPR Kaduna zonal office has licensed 38 plants and 50 retailers to avert dangers and risk associated with decanting LPG by unlicensed retailers. We appeal to users to patronize licensed gas facilities to safeguard lives and property.“
The agency, however, warned operators to desist from engaging in sharp practices such as hoarding, diversion of products across the border, selling above the approved pump price and other acts to short change consumers.
