NNPC, DPR intensify raid on erring fuel stations

The combined team of officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), led by the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Dr. Maikanti Baru, is intensifying the tempo of unscheduled visits to fuel stations across the Federal Capital Territory.

The raid, which was facilitated by the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), led to the clampdown on a fuel outlet in Kubwa District of the FCT caught selling petrol at N250 per litre, instead of the official N145/litre.

The NNPC GMD promptly ordered an on-the-spot dispensing of the remaining product in the storage tank free to motorists in conformity with extant sanction for such misdemeanour.

Addressing journalists after the exercise, Dr. Baru noted that in line with its mandate as supplier of last resort, NNPC would continue to work with relevant stakeholders like the DPR and NSCDC to quickly end the prevailing hardship in getting petrol nationwide.

The GMD said with the recent directive by the Presidency for security agencies to tackle smuggling of petroleum products, the issues of cross-border activities and diversion of products would be curtailed, to enable Nigerians to benefit from the massive injection of fuel into the system being undertaken by the corporation within the last few weeks.

Meanwhile, NNPC has announced the suspension of products dispensing activities at its mega station along Lagos Road, in Port Harcourt due to a fire incident which occurred near the station.

The fire resulted from a Toyota Camry car which exploded outside the station after product was dispensed into an extra in-built locally fabricated tank designed to siphoned fuel.

Though the fire did not affect the station, the corporation noted that it was imperative to suspend operations to enable security agencies clear the resultant traffic, the spokesman, Ndukwe Ughamadu said in the statement.