The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has issued a threat to filling stations,

The NMDPRA threatened to shut down any filing station and gas plant operating in Kogi State illegally by June 1st 2023.

The State Coordinator of NMDPRA, Engr. Ogbe Orits Godwin, said this during a press conference in Lokoja on Thursday.

Ogbe said it had come to the notice of the organization that many filing stations and gas plants in the State are operating without licenses, adding that, any one who failed to renew their license would be be shut down immediately.

According to him, this was the directive given by the Executive Director, Distribution System, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure, (DSSRI) of the NMDPRA Ogbugo Ukoha at a stakeholders meeting held at their headquarter in Abuja.

The NMDPRA State Coordinator added tha circulars have been sent to this effect as any one found wanting will also be penalized.

“It has come to our notice that some fuel stations and gas plant have been operating illegally in the State. Some have not renew their licence while others we learnt don’t have. We have engage them on several meetings on the need to do the needful.

“That is why a directive from our headquarter has given June 1st 2023 as the deadline. Any one who fails to get their license or renew it before the deadline will be shut down and also penalized,” he said.

He admonished petroleum and gas plant marketers in Kogi State to do the needful and validate their license as enshrined in the Petroleum Inspectorate Act, (PIA).