The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), on Tuesday, in Ilorin, sealed up five filling stations for various offences including over-pricing and under-dispensing.
The development was the result of the monitoring exercise of over 35 filling stations across the metropolis.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the exercise, the controller, Ilorin field office of the DPR, Engineer Sule Yusuf, said there was no fuel scarcity or plan to increase fuel price in the country.
According to him, “We observed that operators seem to be taking laws into their hands by selling over what government has allowed them to sell, especially, for Petrol.
”We’ve been going out to monitor before, and we’ll continue to do that.
“Today is just special because we’re out to monitor price, quality, quantity and pump efficiency.
“Two teams of the DPR officials went out this morning in different directions.
“We visited about 35 filling stations out of which two absconded and sealed. They know the consequences,” he noted.
Yusuf added that the affected stations will ”only be reopened when they show remorse, pay sanction fees and comply.
“About three stations were caught over-pricing. We’ve forced them to bring the price down to the allowable range and they’ve complied so that they don’t continue cheating the public.
”For now, there’s no increase in pump price, so they have to comply.
“If any station is selling above window range of N162 and N165 per litre, people should inform the authority.
“We’ll visit those stations and force them to comply in addition to sanction.”
Engr Yusuf, who advised consumers to watch out so they are not short-changed, said that they should get value for their money.
“Operators are advised to play the game according to rules to avoid being sanctioned.
“Yes, they are out to make profits but not at the detriment of majority of the public,” he said.
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