From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The Kogi State Controller of the Department of Petroleum Resources ( DPR) Engineer Idris Mohammed Zangi has warned operators of Cooking Gas Stations and Petrol Stations across the state to adhere strictly to government rules and procedures to avoid being sanctioned.
The Controller who gave the warning while speaking to our correspondent in his office in Lokoja, decried the incessant incidences of leaking tanks of Cooking Gas Stations which has posed serious threats to the Citizenry adding “I will not hesitate to apply sledge hammers against the erring operators”.
Engineer Zangi who lamented at the flagrant disobedience of the operators to the rules and regulations guiding the siting, operation, management and sustenance of a gas station , insisted that he will not rest on his oars to ensure the right things are done across the state.
He pointed out that before his arrival in the state, most of the stations have no operating licences, code of operation as stations were littered within the residential areas, markets and School premises, built at inappropriate locations, causing untold hazards and fears to the residents.
The controller added that on assumption, he embarked on aggressive sensitisation using mass media and also toured stations across the three senatorial districts and directed those found culpable to get their documents regularised to avoid being blacklisted .
Engineer Zangi who appealed to the people to promptly report any infractions at any station to his office to avoid being caught off guard, commended the security agencies especially members of the Civil Defence and Safety Corps in his drive to enforce sanity in the industry.
The Controller’s warning is coming on the heels of recent petroleum tanker Explosion in Felele, Lokoja in which over 30 persons loss their lives and properties worth millions of Naira were destroyed.
