TheCable

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), says it sealed 75 filling stations in Osun for operating without valid licences, and other infractions.

Speaking to NAN on Wednesday, Kunle Adeyemo, state coordinator of NMDPRA, said the filling stations were sealed during a surveillance operation of the agency in April.

Adeyemo said during the activity, 301 filling stations were visited across the state.

He said the intense surveillance of the agency revealed that many of the filling stations in the state do not have valid operational licences.

The coordinator said, in line with the federal government’s directive, all petroleum marketers must have valid licences by May 31, 2023, or face severe sanctions.

Adeyemo also frowned on marketers who have turned their filling stations into parking spaces, car washes, and cash points.

He also asked marketers who operate without safety facilities, engage in pump adjustment, use untrained attendants, and engage in other infractions, to desist from such.

“It is important to state that the charges for the above infractions have been increased by the federal government,” Adeyemo said.

“We implore petroleum marketers to start conforming to the rules guiding the operation of filling stations in the state and also meet up with the May 31 deadline, as the NMDPRA surveillance team will be all out to monitor compliance.

“We urge all marketers to abide by the above to avoid being sanctioned.”

Adeyemo noted that the agency had a meeting with the leadership of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) on the need for their members to obtain valid licences and also abide by the rules guiding the operation of filling stations.

He said Lawal Olalekan, vice-chairman of IPMAN, Ibadan depot, in charge of Oyo and Osun states, pleaded with the agency to give members of the union time to comply with the directive.