DPR shuts 42 petrol stations in Imo

No fewer than 42 petrol stations have been shut down in Imo State by the Directorate of Petroleum Resources (DPR) for selling Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) above the government regulated price of N87.00 and engaging in other sharp practices which include under dispensing, adulteration and hoarding of petroleum products.

The zonal Assistant Director Operations, Engineer Ona Edwin who briefed journalists at the Directorate’s headquarters in Owerri, the Imo State capital, said the closure of private depots engaging in similar offences strengthened the operations of the DPR, adding that it will no longer be business as usual for independent marketers who violate government regulations.

He however disclosed that 14 out of the 42 sealed petrol stations have been reopened after paying the official fine of N100, 000.00.

Meanwhile the Zonal Operations Controller, Ndy Akpambo, who decried the fraudulent activities of the independent marketers, stated that, “the measures taken against the defaulting marketers are within the armbit of our regulation but aside from the shutting of the petrol stations, operational licenses of marketers can also be out rightly revoked depending on the offense committed.”