Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has uncovered ghost filling stations in Bayelsa State.
It said those behind the ghost stations were responsible for fuel scarcity in the South-South state.
The discovery was sequel to the result of an audit of petrol stations in the state.
In the report, it was discovered that the number of illegal filling stations outnumbered legal filling stations.
DPR Operations Controller in the state, Bassey Nkanga, said with a new technology acquired by the department, ghost filling stations and those engaged in underpricing would be detected easily.
Nkanga, who met with members of the Independent Petrol Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), said those behind the ghost filling stations would be sanctioned.
“Bayelsans have continued to complain over the price regime and under dispensing by petrol stations in Yenagoa metropolis. Henceforth, any petrol station found diverting petroleum products, engaging in under dispensing and illegal price regime would face sanctions from the DPR.
“DPR has uncovered illegal petrol stations in Bayelsa State which has been reported to law enforcement agencies. DPR called this meeting to put the Independent Petrol Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) on notice. We are now well equipped to detect adulterated petroleum. Any petrol station caught engaging in wholesome practices would be sealed off without any delay.
“After this meeting, all sanctions due for offending petrol stations would be meted out. Product diversion carries severe penalty. We have observed that products sent to Bayelsa State are not discharged at the designated stations. The quantity sent to Bayelsa is not much so, how on earth can some people still divert the little one? Petrol stations under dispense in Bayelsa. This is not proper, it is bad and tantamount to cheating. DPR would no longer tolerate underdispensing in Bayelsa.
“We want to make it clear that this is not acceptable to DPR and after this meeting, we would close down any erring station. We have just finished the audit of petrol stations in Bayelsa State and our findings revealed that illegal petrol stations outnumbered legal petrol stations. All illegal stations would be handed over to law enforcement agencies”
IPMAN spokesman, Mr Samuel Anthony, commended the leadership of the DPR for its efforts in restoring sanity to petroleum distribution and sales in the state.
“IPMAN would support the DPR in its quest to stop product diversion, under dispensing and other illegal activities going on in petrol stations in the state.”
