DEPARTMENT OF PETROLEUM RESOURCES SEALS FILLING STATIONS IN MAIDUGURI

The Coordinator explained that a filling station, Mala Sheriff Petroleum Company, was sealed due to under dispensing and poor housekeeping, adding that the exercise was designed to monitor the activities of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and fuel marketers as well as filling stations within its area of operations.

“We have sealed one filling station and nine pump machines for various infractions mainly for under dispensing, poor sanitation and safety. The aim is to protect consumers to ensure that they are not being shortchanged as well as create awareness on safety tips in handling gas and petroleum products in the society,” he said.

Penpushing further reports that, Zaoka stated that the affected fillings stations would be re-open after satisfying specifications guiding their operations and payment of N100, 000 fines through the Treasury Single Account (TSA).

The Zonal Operations Controller disclosed that the agency had distributed posters and leaflets to create awareness on safety and other precautionary tips on the usage of petrol and gas, especially for domestic purposes.

Penpushing also reports that, he explained that the agency had extended its outreach in the region to create awareness, promote safety standard and ensure that consumers were buying what they paid for, and tasked gas plant owners on safety practices to avoid disaster in the region.

“Now gas is becoming popular in our society and more people are using cooking gas; we expect them to be aware of the safety implications not only for owners of the gas plants but also for domestic users.  Gas marketers are encouraged to adhere strictly to regulations guiding their operations such as provision of appropriate location, tanks, watering system and fire extinguishers, among others’’ he added.

The controller pointed out that selling of gas cylinders within residential areas were not approved while transferring gas from one cylinder into another cylinder was also prohibited, warning that erring marketers would be sanctioned.