Mr Tamunoiminabo Kingsley-Sundaye, Operations Controller of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Eket field office, Akwa Ibom on Saturday urged marketers to renew their operating licences on time before the April deadline.
Kingsley-Sundaye, made the call during sensitisation of Stakeholders in the petroleum sector in Uyo on Saturday.
“Government really want you to comply because your business involves a lot of engineering, safety, health and environmental issues.
“I am appealing to marketers to get their current licences on time because the department will be working with sister agencies to arrest defaulters in the state,” Kingsley-Sundaye said.
Kingsley-Sundaye said the purpose of renewal of the licence was to ensure that the filling stations meet best practices in the industry.
He said that some filling stations that were built between 10 to 15 years don’t have DPR licence to operate in the state.
The controller said the essence of the meeting was to educate petroleum Stakeholders on the new digital platform for effective processing of applications.
“Due to advancement in technology all over the World, it is pertinent for responsible and responsive organisations to go the way of Information Technology (IT).
“We have gone to digital platform to process what we call licence categories of A, B and C for Petroleum Marketers in the state..
“As we speak even depot owners, very soon will be on the platform by putting their staff through who will be operating the same digital platform,” he said.
Mr Ubong Isong, Chairman, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Akwa Ibom Chapter,assured the DPR of his members support.
He said that the introduction of the online digital platform would save members a lot of stress.
“I know initially there will be little hiccups but after sometimes we will enjoy it,” he said. (NAN)