DPR warns oil marketers against diversion, price hike

Motorists in Cross River state have been advised to avoid panic buying as there is enough petroleum product at the depot to serve everybody in the state.

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) Operations Controller in Cross River, Mr Philip Awolu, gave the advice on Thursday in Calabar during a meeting with depot managers and the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN).

The controller however warned petroleum depot owners and marketers in the state to desist from diversion of product, as anyone caught would face appropriate sanctions.

Awolu who disclosed that the meeting was to appraise the operations of depot owners and the activities of MOMAN in petroleum product lifting and distribution in the state, told the marketers that diversion would lead to scarcity of the product in the state.

He therefore urged them not to sell to any filling station operator who has no valid operating licence.

“The year is coming to an end; we don’t want any panic from any quarter. We want you to do your best in supplying the product round.

“If you sell to unlicensed filling stations, the product may be diverted. But, if you sell to licensed station, we can track the product and ensure availability.

“If you are caught in this act of illegality, we will invite the security agencies to take up the matter.

“Also, it is expected of you to sell the product in line with the government regulated price because anything short of this will attract sanctions,” he said.

Head of DPR Operations in the state, Mr Sircham Musa-Mohammed, urged depot operators to visit the agency’s website and renew their licence for the year 2020.
Musa-Mohammed also encouraged them to maintain a good hygiene and safety measures in their facilities.

The representative of Mainland Oil and Gas, Mr Alex Okolo, said the meeting was timely because it keeps them abreast with the current regulations in the petroleum sector.