The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has arrested 12 petroleum marketers for removing the seals belonging to the Nigerian (*12*) and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, and in addition harassing the company’s surveillance staff in Kogi State.
The Kogi Command made the arrest on Friday once they went round in collaboration with NMDPRA’s surveillance staff to test the actions of some petroleum marketers whose filling stations had been sealed for working illegally.
It could possibly be recalled that in June, NMDPRA in Kogi State shut down over 50 filling stations for beneath shelling out and working with out an NMDPRA storage and sale license.
Speaking on the current arrest, the NSCDC spokesperson, Alex Agiri, mentioned the suspected marketers had been arrested in Lokoja, Idah, Ankpa, Ayingba, and Ajaokuta.
“One can’t quantify the hardship this oil subsidy removal has brought to the populace. The government is trying its best to see how the people who elected them to office have the privilege of enjoying the dividend of democracy.
“The government thought it is wise it is important to take off fuel subsidies so that the money can be channelled for better things to develop the country. On the other side, you will discover that those who are supposed to assist and collaborate with the Federal Government to see that this hardship is reduced to the barest minimum are the same people who are cutting corners.
“The 12 people arrested today by NSCDC in collaboration with NMDPRA have been found wanting in the areas of under dispensing, they are also harassing the officials of NMDPRA who are saddled with the responsibility of regulating their activities.
“The role of NSCDC is that we collaborate with the NMDPRA in making sure that anything that has to do with oil is taken with a keen interest in terms of dispensing, location of the product and many more. It is against the rule that when a filling station is found wanting and being sealed by this same Federal Government agency, a marketer will now go and remove the seal, begin to harass them or even beat them. That is a grievous offence.
“The Federal Government frowns at it, and the NSCDC that has the mandate to enforce this arrest in line with the laid down rules in conjunction with the NMDPRA, made the arrest of the 12 persons who have been found wanting. When you run foul of the law, the consequences will be meted out to those who are found wanting. These airing marketers will face the full wrath of the law.”
Agiri famous that the arrest ought to function a powerful warning to different marketers, stressing that the NSCDC will work assiduously with the NMDPRA in direction of ensuring that unlawful marketers concerned in reducing corners, are delivered to ebook.
Also talking, the state Coordinator, NMDPRA, Engr. Ogbe Orits Godwin mentioned his surveillance staff had been subjected to constant harassment from some marketers who’ve violated the legislation.
“Our surveillance team must have access to all oil and gas facilities in Kogi State without fear, or intimidation from any source. Any marketers that tamper with NMDPRA seals will be handed over to the law enforcement agency for further prosecution.
“Marketers are hereby warned to follow all the gates of approval and upload all relevant documents required for the storage and sales license of their facilities.
“This marketers that have gone against the policies of the Government tampering with NMDPRA seals will be sanction for such infraction and the sum amount will be paid to the federation account or risk jail term as enshrined in the law”, he acknowledged.
Giving an replace on the actions of the company in Kogi State, Godwin acknowledged that the company has a complete of 96 filling stations with expired licenses out of which 50 had been sealed and as of this week, 46 to this point have gone on-line to resume their license and add all related paperwork to good the registration with NMDPRA.
Meanwhile, NMDPRA, through the operation in collaboration with NSCDC, sealed Dokkalhairu Investment Nigeria Limited, Ajaokuta; and Swift Oil, Ajaokuta Junction, alongside Itobe Road, for beneath shelling out Premium Motor Spirit, popularly known as petrol, whereas Oando filling station, Ajaokuta, was shut down for working with no license and A.A Akeya situated in Itobe was sealed for promoting cooking fuel illegally.
