RETURN OF TANK FARMS TO LAGOS: “We Are Not New”: Says Techno Oil

One of the numerous tank farms in Lagos, Techno Oil has debunked insinuations that it is just starting tank farm business, saying that it rather than being a new entrant, it is one of the earliest arrivals in the Apapa business community to commence down stream operations.
Reacting to a story which was investigated and reported in last week’s edition of Shipping Position Weekly, a top official of the organisation told our correspondent that rather than being a new entrant, the company should be commended for pioneering the springing up of tank farms around the Kirikiri axis of Apapa in Lagos.
According to the top personnel whom pleaded anonymity, Techno Oil has been “operating in the area for the past six years, it should therefore not be mistaken as one of the upcoming tank farms in Lagos”, or new entrants into the business.
Even though the tank farm is located inn the midst of newly constructed depots, the management of Techno Oil maintained that it was its existence in the area that attracted other operators to come and build tank farms within the vicinity.
But there are speculations that the company may have discountenanced an order by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) that it should close shop, following alleged failure to meet certain conditions.
The DPR had sealed- off the premises of Techno Oil about two weeks ago, but throughout last week normal loading of petroleum products was going on without the removal of DPR’s order which h was conspicuously pasted on the company’s gates
But, when questioned by our correspondent, the company’s depot manager (names withheld) explained that management was keeping sealed lips, adding that it decided to continue commercial activities even without removing the DPR seal-up order. He claimed that the company had been cleared of any wrong doings by the DPR.