11th March, 2014
The Department of Petroleum Resources (DRP) has shut 30 filling stations in Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu states for selling petroleum products above the official pump price of N97 per litre.
The Operations Controller of the department in Enugu, Mr Peter Ijeh, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Monday that the stations were sealed between March 1 and March 7.
Ijeh said the stations were selling petrol between N120 and N150 per litre, adding that the department would not hesitate to also hand offenders to law enforcement agencies.
He listed the filling stations sealed in Ebonyi to include Utink Nig. Ltd, Obsent Oil Nig. Ltd, BBB Oil Ltd and Vica Mater Oil.
He also said that Mayor Oil Ltd, Divine Petroleum Ltd, Ezu-Trans Nig. Ltd, Avia Oil Ltd and Juhel filling station were among the stations sealed in Enugu State.
The stations sealed in Anambra, according to controller, include Don Oil Nig. Ltd and Afdac Petroleum.
He warned petroleum marketers hoarding the products to desist from the act as the department would punish anybody found wanting in accordance with the law.
“For those who violate our seal, we have written to the Commissioner of Police to assist us in the enforcement drive.
“We have cases that we are dealing with now and we have asked the commissioner of police to help us address them by arresting the management of those stations.
“My people are out there monitoring and sealing off stations that are not complying. We have a manifest that we use in monitoring the quantity of petroleum products that are being supplied to states that we are in charge of.
“As far as I am concerned, the price of premium motor spirit and diesel have not changed,” the controller said.
Petrol now sells for between N145 and N150 in Enugu.