TheCable

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has given a three-month window for owners of petroleum products retailing outlets in Lagos to renew and regularise their operating licences.

Ayorinde Cardoso, zonal operations controller, DPR, confirmed this on Wednesday in Lagos.

TheCable had reported that the DPR taskforce team, during a surveillance exercise, shut down a total of 103 filling stations, 13 gas plants in Lagos for operating without valid licences.

However, Cardoso said the DPR decided to permit the owners of the petroleum products retail outlets to reopen for business following interventions by industry stakeholders.

He admitted that the regulatory agency had met with representatives of the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) over the issue.

“The affected operators have been given a three months window for the renewal/regularisation of their operating licences within the zone,” Cardoso said.

“This is in line with the department’s drive of being a business enabler and opportunity house.”

He added that the DPR would continue to ensure safety in the selling and distribution of petroleum products to reduce incidents of explosion in the state.