The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has said that over 130 petrol stations operate without proper licence in Eket south west of Akwa Ibom State.
The DPR controller of operation in the area, Mr Asuquo Antai who stated this yesterday in Eket explained that most of them had no business selling petroleum products to the public as they were not duly registered by his agency.
The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has said that over 130 petrol stations operate without proper licence in Eket south west of Akwa Ibom State.
The DPR controller of operation in the area, Mr Asuquo Antai who stated this yesterday in Eket explained that most of them had no business selling petroleum products to the public as they were not duly registered by his agency.
He expressed displeasure over the development saying that owners of such stations could not even get government approval for suitable sites before embarking on construction.
Antai said that in one month, the agency has sealed off over 30 filling stations and suspended others from operating in the state over such irregularities.
"It is sad that in a civilized society people could just erect petrol stations and operate it without following due process, this kind of lawlessness must stop.
Operating a petroleum outlet especially in our cities or towns is not like supermarket, it calls for caution and adequate care because of the danger it portend to the general public.
"You cannot just wake up and put up petrol station anywhere that caught your fancy but you must obey all government laws, regulations before doing that", he stated.
The agency according to the DPR Controller had in the last one month sealed off a total of 30 petrol stations and suspended seven stations from lifting products in the state for various malpractices.
Discussion about this post