DPR to demolish illegal petrol stations in Akwa Ibom

Mr Asuquo Antai, Controller of Operations, Department of Petroleum Resources, said on Thursday the organisation would begin to demolish over 150 illegal petrol stations in Akwa Ibom.

Antai told the News Agency of Nigeria in Eket, Akwa Ibom, that the stations, which were built on unsuitable sites, had no licence to operate.

He said although some of the station owners had commenced the regularisation of their documents, the development was unhealthy.

Antai said, “We are ready to work with the state government to ensure that all the stations are demolished.

“Some of them had started running to DPR for regularisation of their documents.

“I have told them categorically that we will not rush to regularise any papers until they get the appropriate government approval.”

The DPR boss advised the marketers to always get appropriate guidelines before going into the business.

He said the various fire incidents that occurred in some parts of the country and outside the country were through illegal location of petrol stations.

He commended the Akwa Ibom Government’s effort to demolish stations without town planning authority permission to build in residential areas.

Antai also said,”The lives and property of the citizens of the state must be protected.

“DPR supports the present government in its effort to checkmate unauthorised petrol stations in the state.

“We cannot allow the building of illegal stations to go unchecked because they will expose the people to serious danger in the nearest future.”