Nigerian govt seals 10 filling stations in Bauchi

The Bauchi State Office of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has sealed 10 filling stations for suspected rule violations.

NMDPRA Operations Controller Abdullahi Iliyasu gave the figure in an interview with the Nigerian News Agency on Thursday in Bauchi.

Mr Iliyasu listed the fuel outlet violations to include non-compliance with safety measures, such as failure to supply fire extinguishers and sand buckets.

He added that some of the sanctioned service stations were defrauding customers through insufficient delivery of products.

According to him, NMDPRA recently discovered 10 illegal gas stations in the state.

“We are investigating the matter to take the corresponding measures,” the official said.

He said the agency would continue to step up surveillance efforts and routine inspection of all oil outlets in the state.

“Regular surveillance and inspection would prevent product diversion and ensure unimpeded delivery of declared products to designated service stations.”

Mr Iliyasu called on independent oil traders to establish liquefied gas plants in line with the Federal Government’s efforts to expand the use of gas for cooking.

The official attributed the high cost of cooking gas in the country to the costs of importing and unloading the product.

He said that the agency had licensed the establishment of no less than 10 gas plants in the state.