DPR moves against erring petroleum products marketers Lagos

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) on Monday re-stated that erring petroleum marketers would be heavily sanctioned.

The warning came as the DPR intensifies monitoring of filling stations in Lagos and its environs.

The Deputy Director, Public Affairs of DPR, Mrs Dorothy Bassey, who confirmed the commencement of the monitoring, said that any filling station under-dispensing products to customers would not go unpunished.

She said that petroleum products marketers and operators, engaging in unwholesome practices, especially selling of petrol above the pump price of N87 per litre would be sanctioned.

According to her, government has declared zero-tolerance for operators sabotaging efforts toward seamless distribution of petroleum products across the country.

“The agency has directed all depots, marketers and operators in the sector to abide by the official pricing regime to avoid sanctions which may include denial of any marketer from further participation in the Petroleum Support Fund scheme and withdrawal of operating licenses.

“The prevailing hike in retail prices of petrol and kerosene was as a result of the unscrupulous activities of some depot owners and major marketers who are selling the products to various retailers at prices higher than the official ex-depot price of N77.66k and N34.51k, respectively,’’ she said.

Bassey said that sharp practices by most operators had led to direct supervision of petrol and kerosene sales by the DPR.

The DPR had between July and August this year, sanctioned about 187 erring petroleum products marketers for various offenses in Lagos and its environs.