A total of 46 filing stations have been sealed up by the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), in Akwa Ibom State
It was learnt that the 46 fuel stations were spotted operating without license, as well as those found under-dispensing the petroleum products in the state.
The DPR Head of Operations in Eket, Engr. Olusegun Dabor, disclosed this when the department carried out routine inspection of fuel stations in Uyo on Thursday.
Dabor said the fuel stations were sealed starting from the beginning of this December till date.
He noted that some filling stations were yet to acquire license since they started operating in the state while others were operating without sign posts.
He said that the filling stations were operating illegally for over six years without approved license from the department in the state.
Dabor said;
“The department has sealed 30 fuel stations without operational license and 16 stations were under dispensing their products.
“Those filling stations under dispensing, we have to come back and check if their pump is working before we can unseal them,
He noted that the department was on aggressive surveillance to check the activities of petroleum products during the yuletide season.
Daboh said that the names of the defaulters would be given to the sister agencies for further prosecution.
He said the surveillance team of the department was working with sister agencies to monitor the sealed filling stations in the state.
The Head of Operations said the department would give the defaulters one month to repair their pumps in the areas before operating in the state.
He advised the public not to panic in buying petroleum products during the yuletide season because there is availability of the products in the country.
