Worried over the incessant fire outbreaks in parts of Rivers State as a result of illegally refined Petroleum Products, the Petrol Station Outlet Owner’s Association of Nigeria says it has taken measures to curtail the unfortunate incidents from re-occurring.
The Rivers state branch chairman of PETROAN Francis Chile-Dimkpa told our correspondent that the association has set up a compliance team made up of the DPR, DSS and the Military to wage war against the distribution of illegal petroleum products in the state.
“Our joint Quality Assurance And Quality Control Compliance team has commence surveillance to uncover illegal refinery and dealers of adulterated petroleum products in the state. The 3P Team has resolved that the issue of soot in the state is minimized by ensuring that areas and centers of kpo fire activities are destroyed. This is in collaboration with other government agencies that have resolved to fight against the issue of kpo fire and soot in the state’’, Francis said.
The state chairman of PETROAN Francis Chike-Dimkpa said the compliance team has already made some arrests of suspected trucks with illegal petroleum products within Obio Akpor, Emuoha and Port Harcourt local government areas in the state. He said drivers of two trucks laden with suspected petroleum products have been arrested with their trucks seized and handed over to the relevant authorities for further prosecution.
“we will leave no stone unturned at ensuring that the industry of petroleum products distribution is sanitized. Those arrested have been handed over for prosecution and this pursuit will be sustained until this unwholesome act is stopped”, the PETRAON boss assured.
Francis Chike-Dimkpa called on petroleum end users to avoid patronizing dealers of adulterated and illegally refined petroleum products so as to avoid fire explosions.
“we have been abreast of news of several fire outbreak as a result of these illegal petroleum products. We won’t sit down and fold our hands while all these illegality and disaster thrives. We are warning people to stay away from this devilish kpo fire kerosene that have been killing people and burning down properties. We know cooking gas is expensive now but continuous use of these deadly kpo fire product will only cause more havoc”, he cried out.
You would recall that parts of Rivers State witnessed over five fire outbreak within one week as a result of kpo fire products.
