The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has sealed the filling station belonging to Mr Godwin Ekpo, Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Petroleum Products Monitoring Committee (PPMC), over alleged illegal sale and diversion of petroleum products.
The action followed a two-day surveillance operation carried out by the NMDPRA, Eket Field Office, which also led to the closure of four other filling stations across Uyo metropolis for various infractions.
Speaking with journalists in Uyo, the State Coordinator of NMDPRA, Mr Ikechukwu Eseka, said Ekpo’s filling station was sealed for operating without a valid licence and engaging in illegal sale of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
“This is a clear case of diversion involving about 15,000 litres of suspected fuel being sold at his station. The question remains: how and from whom did he obtain the product, when the directive of ‘No Licence, No Loading’ at depots is still in force?” Eseka queried.
He revealed that the illegal product was being dispensed from two pumps before the facility was sealed.
Eseka added that four other filling stations were also sealed for offences including under-dispensing, poor housekeeping, and unauthorised rebranding without approval from the Authority.
He stated that the affected stations would remain sealed until the operators comply with regulations and pay the prescribed fines to the Federal Government.
