Yusuf Oketola
NO fewer than 75 filling stations have been shut down in the State of Osun
The filling stations were said to be operating without valid license, among other infractions in the State.
State Coordinator of Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Kunle Adeyemo, who disclosed this on Wednesday in Osogbo, said the filling stations were sealed during a surveillance operation of the agency in April.
Adeyemo said his men visited 301 filling stations in the state in which many of them did not have valid operational licence.
Adeyemo said in line with the Federal Government’s directive, all petroleum marketers have till May 31 to get their valid licence.
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He said any petroleum marketer who failed to adhere to the deadline would be severely sanctioned and penalised.
Adeyemo frowned at marketers who have turned their stations into parking space, car wash, and cash point.
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He expressed regret that some other fuel stations operated without safety facilities, engaging in pump adjustment, using untrained attendants and engaging in other infractions.
“It is important to state that the charges for the above infractions have been increased by the Federal Government.
“We implore petroleum marketers to start conforming to the rules guiding the operation of filling stations in the state and also meet up with the May 31 deadline, as NMDPRA surveillance team will be all out to monitor compliance.
“We urge all marketers to abide by the above to avoid being sanctioned”, he stated.
Adeyemo also said the agency had a meeting with the leadership of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) on the need for their members to obtain valid licence and also abide by the rules guiding the operation of filling stations.
He said the Vice-Chairman of IPMAN, Ibadan depot, in charge of Oyo and Osun states, Alhaji Lekan Leklaw, pleaded with the agency to give members of the union time to comply with the directive.
