The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Eket Field Office, has sanctioned 28 filling stations in Akwa Ibom for violating the Federal Government seal order.
Mr Tamunoiminabo Kingsley-Sundaye, the Operations Controller of DPR made this disclosure in an interview in Eket Local Government Area on Friday.
Kingsley-Sundaye said that the petroleum marketers had violated the seal order between July and August 15.
“We have about 28 filling stations that have violated the DPR seal and we have written to the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to prosecute them.
“Once you don’t pay, we will ask the law enforcement agency to prosecute you,” Kingsley-Sundaye said.
He noted that the defaulting filling stations were to pay a fine of one million naira each, adding that the amount would be paid to the Federal Government Treasury Single Account (TSA).
“If you violate government seal for the third time, recommendation will be made to the Director of DPR, who issued the license on behalf of the Federal Government and your license would be withdrawn,” he said.
The operations controller said the department was working with the NSCDC to prosecute those marketers, who had violated the seal order in the state.
Kingsley-Sundaye noted that the department had also collaborated with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to resolve the challenges being faced by petroleum marketers in renewing their licences.
He said that about 76 per cent of filling stations had so far renewed their licenses in the state.
The controller advised those working in the oil and gas sector to operate in accordance with the laid down standards and procedures for their businesses.
