DPR tasks petrol stations in Gombe on safety measures
The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has tasked petrol stations in Gombe on need to strengthen safety measures in their facilities to ensure safety of lives and property.
DPR’s Operations Controller, Gombe field office, Mr Yerima Kollomi gave this charge on Saturday in Gombe while briefing journalists shortly after concluding two-day state-wide supervision and monitoring of petrol stations in the state.
Kollomi said the exercise was part of DPR’s routine programme aimed at ensuring that the people of Gombe who patronised petrol stations got quality service delivery as well as ensure their safety.
According to him, the issue of safety cannot be compromised by his agency as compliance with safety measures must be in line with the provisions of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) in oil and gas.
He stated that irrespective of the weather, SOP must be adhered to and so “we are monitoring and enforcing safety compliance in the state to the letter.
“ The safety prescription for all the outlets are being observed strictly whether with the change in weather or not,” he said.
To ensure safety, Kollomi advised petrol stations operators to embark on more safety and security training for their personnel to prevent fire incidence related to petrol stations in the state.
Speaking on his observation from the field, the DPR official said his team observed “minor difference in delivery which was not within the range and we have issued them compliance notifications.
“ All the identified pumps marked as not in compliance with the standard range, we have instructed them not to sell from those pumps.”
He added that a mechanism had been put in place to ensure compliance after the supervision, stating that his team had been consistent in their surveillance to ensure that the right thing was done.
Kollomi also said: “ on the issue of Ligufied Petroleum Gas (LPG) we are dealing with that squarely; the LPG cannot be left out because the government is interested in LPG penetration.”
He stated that his agency was partnering with security personnel to ensure that issue of illegality in LPG operation was addressed, adding that five illegal LPG stations were already undergoing investigations.
