The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has launched an application for real time monitoring of petroleum products in all the filling stations operating in the country.
The application named Downstream Remote Monitoring System (DRMS) will also be deployed to check hoarding and diversion of products by marketers.
Zonal Controller, DPR, Port Harcourt Zonal Office, Bassey Nkanga, unveiled the platform at the weekend during a two-day stakeholders’ meeting in Port Hacourt with petrol and gas station owners including other operators in the downstream sector.
Nkanga said the platform would also help marketers to monitor activities in their filling stations, including sold and available products, even in their absence.
He said the DPR through the system could evaluate the quantity of available products in all the filling stations from its office on a daily basis.
He said: “DPR has developed something so that wherever you are you can monitor your filling station, see what you sold and the quantity of products available.
“We did this to have records on a daily basis to see what we have at the close of daily business. I can sit in my office and see your station and compare notes. It will enable you to know whether the people are cheating you.
“We also give you unique numbers and you can also generate your numbers.
“With the Downstream Remote Monitoring System, you can monitor your filling station no matter where you are. It will address corruption and stealing and give you real time storage and sales.
“Each station has a unique number and location. We used the GPS in creating these unique numbers. Procedures to create the numbers will be given to you.”
Nkanga further said that the DPR shut a filling station for selling adulterated products and seven unlicensed Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) refilling plants in Rivers State.
He said that the department would not compromise safety standards and quality of petroleum products sold to members of the public.
He explained that the filling station located in Aluu, Ikwerre Local Government Area of the State was closed following a tip off from a customer, whose car developed fault after buying petrol from the facility.
He said: “There is a station now in Aluu that is shut down because one of the products they are selling does not meet our specifications and a good Nigerian called us because his vehicle had problem.
“We rushed to shut down the station and we have concluded our investigations and working to see how we can make sure that that particular specification is corrected. If possible, the station will go back to business; if not, it will remain shut,” he stated.
He said the seven illegal gas refilling facilities were shut down during an operation by DPR officials to avert loss of lives and property from fire or explosions.
He said: “Another team is out checking the validity of the license of LPG refilling plant and also checking to ensure that these safety requirements we are preaching are met. So that team is already out as at last week.
“Since we started, we’ have shut down about seven LPG plant operating without valid licences.”
He further said that the DPR organised the stakeholders’ meeting with the petrol and gas station owners to teach them some safety measures to forestall fire outbreak and other disasters during the yuletide.
