By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The Nigeria Mainstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) on Thursday in Lokoja sealed seven filling stations in Kogi over alleged under dispensing of products to customers.
The NMDPRA Kogi Coordinator, Mr Ogbe Godwin, who disclosed this during a news conference on Thursday in Lokoja, accused the stations of branding without authorisation.
The affected stations according to NAN includes: Solag Resources Ltd., Ankpa, Hismus Oil and Gas, Obajana, Riyenic Global Ltd., Oke-Ibukun Kabba, S.O.T Nigeria Ltd.
Others are, Omuo Kabba, Marktot Oil and Gas, Kabba, and NIPCO Filling Station.
“As long as NMDPRA is concerned, we will not condone such an act here in Kogi as It is a big offence to under dispense petroleum products to customers. Any petroleum marketer caught will face the full wrath of the law.”
“All the seven filling stations we shut today will be paying to the coffers of the Federal Government.
This will serve as deterrent to others, who may tend to follow this dubious act,” he said.
According to him, NMDPRA visited 50 filling stations and sealed seven for under dispensing adding that four filling stations were also sealed for operating without licence.
The coordinator gave the names to include: Absala Oil and Gas, Yak Ali Oil and Gas, Yamuda Nigeria Ltd, and Hanimat Nigeria Ltd, all in Ankpa Local Government Area in the state.
“We will no longer tolerate any marketer who is operating illegally in the state. It is better for them to go and do the needful by registering their stations with the Federal Government or the long arms of the law will catch up with them.”
“NMDPRA won’t give any breathing space for individuals who intend to sabotage government efforts, but will ensure that petroleum products are available in Kogi without any compromise,” he said.