Adaobi Rhema Oguejiofor
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has threatened to shutdown any filling station and gas plant that is illegally operating in Kogi State by June 1st.
The State Coordinator of NMDPRA in Kogi, Engr. Ogbe Orits Godwin, said this during a press conference in Lokoja on Thursday.
Godwin said that it had come to the notice of the Authority that many filling stations and gas plants that are operating in the State are carrying out their operations without any license and, as a result, anyone who failed to renew their license would be shut down immediately.
According to him, this was the directive given by the Executive Director of Distribution System, Storage, and Retailing Infrastructure, (DSSRI) of the NMDPRA, Ogbugo Ukoha, at a stakeholder meeting, which held at the headquarters in Abuja. The State Coordinator added that circulars had already been sent out to this effect and anyone that is found wanting will also be penalized.
In his own words, “it has come to our notice that some fuel stations and gas plants have been operating illegally in the State. Some have not renewed their license, while others, we have learnt, do not have. We have engaged them in several meetings on the need to do the needful. And that is why a directive from our headquarters has given June 1st, 2023 as the deadline. Anyone who fails to get their license or renew it before the deadline will be shut down and also penalized.”
He further advised petroleum and gas plant marketers in Kogi State to do the needful and validate their licenses as stipulated by the Petroleum Industrial Act (PIA).