DPR seals 7 petrol stations in Taraba, vows to tackle fuel hike during festivities

Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) on Friday sealed seven fuel stations in Zing and Jalingo local government areas of Taraba State with a pledge to tackle fuel hike during festivities.

Operational field controller of the Department’s Jalingo office, Jeremiah Mashat, led the team on the routine inspection of fuel stations in the Northern zone of the state, in collaboration with the Oil and Gas Unit of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps NSCDC, Taraba State command.

Mashat said though some stations were sealed for various infractions including excess dispensing, the general level of compliance from the fuel stations visited was commendable as most meters were in good conditions and safety measures were sufficiently put in place.

Mashat, who insisted that the infractions would be properly sanctioned to serve as deterrent to others, urged operators to imbibe best practices so as to ensure that customers get value for their money and are not short-changed.

“For two days now, we have visited a number of fuel stations, especially in the northern zone of the state. We sealed a total of seven stations for various infractions that will be sanctioned appropriately. But I must say that the level of compliance is quite commendable. I will put it at 90 percent, and it is a great improvement from our last outing.

“Let me use this opportunity to urge operators to imbibe the best practices to avoid having issues. It is unfortunate that some operators desert their stations once they see our vehicles coming. This is a serious offence and is completely needless,” he said.

He assured the people that there was no need for panic as there was enough supply of the produce to take care of the extra demand for the Yuletide season, adding that any station that hiked the price would face sanction.

Leader of the NSCDC oil and gas unit of the Taraba State command, Salisu Bappa, who described the operation as a huge success, assured that the unit would continue to collaborate with the DPR in ensuring sanity in the oil and gas sector and to ensure that operators do not indulge in sharp practices aimed at short-changing the consumers/