KUNLE KALEJAYE

The past years have witnessed an upsurge in the number of marketers who began construction of filling stations without an approval to do so, and then later applied for a waiver from the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, a DPR official has said.

According to the official, “This is an outright violation of the laws governing the construction of filling stations and an appropriate penalty will soon be in place for this.”

Assistant Director, Products Depots and Jetty of DPR, Mr. Lanre Buraimoh, stressed that marketers are reminded that the construction of filling stations and fabrication of underground tanks should be undertaken only by DPR accredited consultant, adding that all oil and gas equipment suppliers must be also be accredited by DPR.

Buraimoh who stated this at the 2012 annual Independent Marketers meeting with DPR in Lagos explained that the need to ensure strict oil industry standard as practiced worldwide cannot be over emphasized.

“To this end, the Department is in advanced stages for the implementation of the Trucking Policy which is envisaged to enhance tanker trucks usage, institute orderliness in trucking activities at the depots, minimize pipeline vandalism, check diversion, theft and adulteration of petroleum products and enhance road users safety, amongst others,” he said.

As the end of the year is fast approaching, Buraimoh stated that it is expected that usage of petroleum products will increase. It is in line with this expectation that we wish to encourage marketers to ensure product availability to the public at this critical period.

“Marketers are therefore, strongly advised not to engage in acts that may lead to creation of products scarcity, and other associated ills such as hoarding and product diversion for profiteering.”

He maintained that DPR will not hesitate to impose the necessary sanctions on erring marketers found violating the laws, adding that the department will begin the normal process of renewal of licenses effectively from October 2012 for 2012/2014 operating year.

“All petroleum products marketers are advised to submit their applications promptly so as to facilitate early issuance of license. Marketers who fail to renew their license by March, 2013 shall have their operations suspended indefinitely,” Buraimoh asserted.

Application for renewal, according to Buraimoh must be accompanied with copies of expired license, valid pressure Test Certificate/Report of Underground tanks, Current Tax Clearance Certificate, appropriate application fees in a certified bank draft, and photographs of the station with evidence of installed standard price boards and adequate safety equipment endorse by DPR staff.

He also explained that a re-inspection and assessment of all retail outlets will be conducted before renewal of license in order to ascertain current status and compliance with statutory requirements.

He warned that dilapidated stations operating with sub-standard facilities will not be renewed for operations.