EditorNo fewer than 13 cooking gas stations were sealed in July by the Department of Petroleum Resources(DPR), Eket Field Office, for illegal operation.
This was disclosed on Thursday by Operations Controller if DPR, Mr Victor Ohwodiasa in Akwa Ibom.
Ohwodiasa said the cooking gas stations were not licensed by the department in the state and are illegally operating.
“We have identifies 13 illegal facilities in the state and we had taken steps to close them down”, Ohwodiasa said.
He noted that the department will sensitize and enlighten the public and operators to safe handling procedures of cooking gas.
Ohwodiasa warned that cooking gas operator should not operate facilities without license, noting that operators must have undergone several safety checks before getting approval.
Ohwodiasa advised that operators stop illegal transfer of cooking gas from one cylinder to another.
“For the safety of life and property in Akwa Ibom, we encourage everyone to ensure that we do not compromise those illegal cooking gas facilities that are conducting decanting,” he said”.
Ohwodiasa said the practice was illegal and dangerous, which was why the DPR did not approve facilities to carry out such process.
He advised the public to always buy cooking gas from only the DPR’s licensed facilities.
Ohwodiasa also encouraged the public to report suspected illegal practice by the oil and gas industry to the department.
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