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The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) says it has closed down no fewer than 17 illegal cooking gas (LPG) outlets in Ibadan and issued warnings to nine petrol stations in the second quarter of 2019.
The Operations Controller of Ibadan Field Office of DPR, Mr. Oluyemi Olaonipekun disclosed this to newsmen in Ibadan on Monday.
Olaonipekun said the DPR was effectively monitoring the operations of Retail Oil Marketers (ROM), Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) retailers and depots.
His words: “In the last three months, we have been able to stop illegal installation of LPG skid and closed down 17 illegally installed skid from operating within our area of operations, that is Oyo State.
“To forestall future occurrence during our routine visit and surveillance, we have gathered data of illegal outfits and their gas suppliers.
“We believe that if they had not been supplied gas they will not be able to sell or have the products.
“We now have the data of the licensed legal operators who are supplying the illegal operators.
“We have thereafter written warning letters to nine major LPG retailer plant owners; if they further supply any unlicensed, unapproved LPG site we will close down their own plants too.
“The law gives us the power to do that based on the conditions in which they got their licences.
”They have some responsibilities and duties to perform and if they fail, we have the power to suspend or revoke their licences.”
Olaonipekun also disclosed that DPR was planning to meet with LPG plant owners and stakeholders in order to seek ways to curb unnecessary supply of products to unlicensed and unapproved sites.
“We will also go out on a road show to sensitise people on how to safely handle and use LPG. LPG is friendly if it is handled carefully”, he said.