The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) in Plateau has sealed 23 petrol stations for various offences in the state.
The petrol stations were sealed on Thursday when officials of the department monitored the operations of petrol stations.
The Operations Controller of the Department in Plateau, Mr Caesar Douglas, said the exercise was part of their statutory functions to ensure that Nigerians get petroleum products at government approved price.
He explained that the offences the stations committed included diversion of products, selling above the official price, hoarding and illegal operation.
”Today’s exercise is part of our statutory function that government employed us to do; it is our job to ensure that Nigerians get petroleum products at government approved price.
”We are also to monitor the distribution and sales of the products, and so, what we have done today was an attempt to ensure that we do not experience scarcity.
”In this operations, we have succeeded in sealing 23 petrol stations across Plateau.
”Eleven of them were sanctioned for selling against government price of N87 per litre, seven were sealed for operating illegally, four for diversion and one for hoarding the product,” he said.
The Controller explained that those caught hoarding the products would pay a fine of N2 million, inaddition to closing the station for two months while the owner would be prosecuted.
He added that those sanctioned for selling above government approved price shall pay a fine N100, 000 and the station closed for two months.
”As for those we caught operating without license, we have sealed their stations and given them two weeks to come and regularise the process, hence if we get them operating, they will face the full wrath of the law,” he added.
Douglas urged motorists in Plateau to desist from patronising illegal petrol stations and report any station selling above government approved price to DPR.
He assured that the DPR would ensure that the stations sealed remained as such and if found operating without regularising their operation would face stiffer measures. (NAN)
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