Sharp practices: DPR seals eight filling stations in Akwa Ibom

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) in Eket, Akwa Ibom State, said on Sunday that it sealed eight filling stations in the state for operating without valid licences.
Mr Bassey Nkanga, DPR’s Controller (Operations), in charge of Akwa Ibom and Cross River, disclosed this in Eket.
Nkanga said that many filling stations in the state, including some owned by Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) members, were operating without valid licences.
According to him, only about 50 per cent of the filling stations had valid licences.
He said that the department had commenced “vigorous inspection” of filling stations with a view to identifying and sealing those operating without valid licenses.
The controller of operations advised owners of the sealed stations to regularise their licenses to have their outlets reopened.
He warned against operating without valid licences and advised such dealers to desist from the act or face the wrath of the law.
“Some of the filling stations in Akwa Ibom do not have DPR’s licences. Henceforth, any filling station without a licence will not be allowed to operate,” he added.