DPR seals 28 fuel stations

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has sealed no fewer than 28 filling stations in 11 out of the 23 local governments of Sokoto State in the last seven days.

The DPR Zonal Operations Controller, Alhaji Mohammed Kaura, made the disclosure when he spoke with newsmen on the fuel supply situation in the state in Sokoto on Wednesday.

Kaura said the filling stations were in Sokoto North, Sokoto South, Illela, Sabon-birni, Isa, Goronyo, Wamakko, Bodinga, Wurno, Gwadabawa and Gada Local Government Areas.

He said that they were sealed for selling petrol above the government approved pump price of N87 per liter and at irregular hours.

"Four of the sealed filling stations belonged to the major marketers, while 24 belonged to independent marketers.

"All of the axed filling stations were each fined N100,000, and were forced to sell the products at government approved pump price.

"These filling stations were also indicted for selling the commodity at between 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. and 4.30p.m. and 6 p.m.

"This is to apparently evade the eagle-eyed officials of the DPR, but we will continue to monitor their activities diligently with a view to sealing and sanctioning any erring filling station,’’ he warned.

The DPR controller also appealed to the residents to be patient because the Federal Government was doing its possible best to improve the fuel supply situation across Nigeria.

"We are now getting an average daily supply of between four to six trucks per day into Sokoto city and its environs, as against the average daily demand of about 30 trucks in the city.

"Officials of the department will continue to live above board to ensure that the commodity is being sold at the government approved pump prices.

"We will never waiver in our constitutional duties of ensuring that the unsuspecting customers get value for their money, and they are not cheated by any marketers.’’