The Kogi State Coordinator, Nigerian Mainstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, Ogbe Orits Godwin says the agency will not relent in clamping down on illegal petroleum marketers operating in the state.
Godwin disclosed this at the weekend when he and his management team played host to the members of the Federated Chapel, Nigeria Union of Journalists in Kogi State.
He disclosed that NMDPRA in Kogi State has apprehended some individuals who were allegedly running filling stations without a license from the Federal Government.
He said, “Any marketer operating illegally should relocate from Kogi State. We will not relent in clamping on them because they are not different from those stealing our oil inside the bushes”.
The NMDPRA boss asserted that the agency has sustained its clampdown on dangerous cylinder-to-cylinder gas refilling businesses for the safety of the people and also for those handling the business.
He explained that decanting cylinder-to-cylinder gas refilling is prohibited as it poses a great threat to lives and properties.
He noted that just a few years ago, Kogi State witnessed recurring cases of gas explosions with fatalities recorded.
“When I came on board, we noticed that a lot of gas plants were spread all across the state with recurring cases of explosion. But more worrisome was the decanting process through which gas was dispensed, cylinder to cylinder.
“After a gas explosion in Obajana, I was detailed to investigate the incident. We found out that while the man was busy decanting he was burning the dirt he had earlier swept in front of the place. This led to an explosion and goods worth millions of naira went down the drain. With this and several others, we resolved to correct this,” he explained.
Godwin said with the agency’s regulatory activities, NMDPRA has reduced the incidence of gas explosions across the state, with zero fatalities recorded in the last year.
He added that the agency recently shut down some filling stations in Gegu, Lokoja, Ankpa and Okene local government for under-dispensing, stressing that NMDPRA will not relent in apprehending petroleum marketers who intend to sabotage the efforts of the Government in sanitizing the oil sector.
“People are suffering and some petroleum marketers are still adding to their burden. When a person pays for 10 litres and you give him nine litres, that is wicked and criminal, “he added.
He recalled how the agency had swung into action on numerous occasions to check the excesses of fuel stations in the state.
“Now, some stations will not sell fuel from morning till after work hours. They assumed our officials must have closed from work in the evening when they eventually began selling. However, when we noticed this trend, we deployed monitors and those caught paid for their actions.
He assured that NMDPRA will not rest on its oars by ensuring strict compliance with extant laws and guidelines to ensure consumer rights are protected and guarantee the safety of residents.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Federated Chapel, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Kogi State Council Mike Abu commended the NMDPRA Coordinator for sustaining the integrity of the regulatory agency in the state.
Abu, however, called his attention to some filling stations that are operating like black markets, especially in Lokoja, the state capital.
He urged NMDPRA to make public a dedicated line that will give residents room to report stations engaging in sharp practices.