DPR, NSCDC to raid illegal gas retailers in FCT
The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) says it is collaborating with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to rid the FCT of illegal gas retailers.
The new DPR Abuja, Zonal Operation Controller, Abba Misau, said this on Wednesday in Abuja when he paid a familiarisation visit to the Commandant, FCT NSCDC, Mr Patrick Ukpan.
The DPR boss who decried the proliferation of what he called road side gas (Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG)) retailers in the FCT, said the measure was to ensure sanity and safety.
He, however, said that the DPR would intensify it’s sensitisation campaign to the gas retailers on the need to obtain the necessary license for their trade before the raids on them.
Misau said that apart from approval giving to some filling stations, gas dealers could also apply for license to operate small refilling plants with the required DPR safety standards.
“For the gas retailers with designated address, we have been having meetings with them on the need to have the necessary license.
“For all those road side dealers, their activities remain illegal and we will soon swoop on them because we need to ensure sanity and protection of lives and property,” he said.
He also assured on ensuring quality petroleum products at the approved price at all filling stations through intensified monitoring and surveillance.
Earlier, the FCT Commandant of the NSCDC, Patrick Ukpan, said the command would continue to support the DPR in ensuring it’s smooth operations.
He pledged the commitment of the NSCDC in arresting and prosecuting saboteurs and illegal operators in the petroleum sector, especially the downstream sector.
The DPR is the government agency charged with ensuring proper regulation and standard in the oil and gas industry.