Four petrol stations in Yenagoa have been closed by the Bayelsa State Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) for under dispensing and selling above the government-approved litre price.
The exercise took place when officials from the department paid an unscheduled visit to some retail petrol outlets on Thursday, March 25, 2021.
Mr Ogbe Nicholas, the DPR’s Operational Controller in the state field office, led the exercise.
B.M. Links Ltd, Tamic Nig. Ltd, Ereboter Oil, and Maccary Petroleum Ltd were among the affected filling stations, while NNPC mega station, Total Quartz, Tonimas Oil, Gamag Oil, and NNPC outlets were selling at the government-approved price.
“We also want to make sure the goods are delivered in the correct amount. Various infractions were committed by the gas stations that were shut down.
Nicholas said there are fines for those under dispensing.
“When we seal, they will go and pay the requisite fine for sealing, and they will show proof of payment from the DPR special account.
“The Petroleum Pricing Regulatory Agency, which is our sister agency, is in charge of price regulation,” he stated.
He noted that the price of PMS is between N162 and N165 per litre and that some marketers may try to deceive the public.
According to the controller, there are rules and regulations that govern any company, particularly in the oil industry, specifically the downstream.
“ DPR frowns on unlicensed gas stations, if your station is not licensed, you are conducting an illegal business, and if we find out, effective punishment will be imposed.
“All of the fuelling stations we visited were licensed, when these licenses expire, they will be extended accordingly he said.
