Energy Briefs
THE Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, has blamed the Independent Petroleum Marketers for the crisis in the oil and gas sector. Peter Ijeh, south east zonal controller, DPR, blamed some of the challenges in the sector on the unwillingness of marketers to adhere to the rules and regulations set by the federal government.
Speaking at a summit organised for the oil marketers in Awka, Anambra State, Ijeh said issues of adulteration might not be deliberate, but due to environmental and operators lackluster attitude to safety. According to him, some marketers, who build filling stations or gas plants do so without approval from the DPR or town planning agency, and when they are stopped from going further they go to any length to beg us.
“Most transportation trucks are expired and not worthy to be on the roads, a Bill is in process to ensure that all tanks on our roads are fitted with double safety valve to ensure that when there is a fall, products will not spill. DPR does not approve gas plants in a filling station or outlets in residential areas,” he said.
In his opening remark, Peter Nwosu, organiser of the summit, said though the event had been conceived before the recent tanker accidents, the idea was to demonstrate Anambra government’s determination to protect its citizens. He said Anambra had a big petroleum market and marketers, which underscored the need for government to engage the stakeholders towards evolving a sane downstream sector.
“This summit was borne out of the emerging demands and needs in the petroleum sector in Nigeria and Anambra in particular. The outcome from it will lay the foundation to a possible legislative framework that will improve the viability of the sector in Anambra,” he said.
The event was the first Anambra Petroleum and Lubricants Dealers Summit, organised by the Office of Senior Special Adviser to Governor Willie Obiano on NUPENG, Petroleum and Union Matters for industry players to brainstorm on how to move the industry forward in the state.
– Nov. 1, 2019 @ 16:07 GMT |
Tags: DPR blames petroleum marketers for chaos in sector
