The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has uncovered an illegal engine oil manufacturing factory in Gusau, the Zamfara capital.
The Controller in charge of Gusau DPR field office, Malam Ango Haruna, made the disclosure in Gusau on Thursday after a routine inspection and monitoring exercise of the department.
Haruna told newsmen that the factory — IBCON Global Resources Nigeria Limited — is located at Janyau area of Gusau.
The DPR official said the company was operating illegally over the years without required licences from the department.
He added that the department had earlier received petitions on illegal operations of some lubricant producers in the state by the Lubricant Producers Association of Nigeria (LUPAN).
He noted that “this factory remains sanctioned until the company complies with
DPR lubricant factories operating guidelines.
“Even though the owners of the company claimed they have licence, what they presented to us were licences of pipeline maintainance and petroleum storage and even those licences had expired.
“For this company to operate, it must acquire Lubricant Blending Plan Operating Licence from DPR.”
He explained that before anybody could engage in petroleum product business in Nigeria, he or she must be licenced by DPR in accordance with Petroleum Industry Law.
He said the company was endangering the lives of its workers as they handled uncertified chemicals and substances without protection.
He added that apart from illegal operation, most of the factory’s machines and equipment were substandard.
The controller urged the public to continue to cooperate and always give information on fuel diversion, hoarding and sale of products above official price to DPR
for prompt action.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the company produces boxer engine oil which is sold to public at the market.
