The Department of Petroleum Department (DPR) in Eket, Akwa Ibom, has warned against touting around petroleum product depots in the area.

DPR’s Controller of Operations in Eket, Mr. Asuquo Antai gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Eket on Sunday.

He said that there were many touts and fraudsters parading as marketers at the depots.

“We have observed that during the sale of petroleum products, the depots are always over crowded by touts and fraudsters.

“Some of these people do not have DPR licenses, yet they end up buying products.

“Some of them collect licenses from illegal sources and use same to buy products far in excess of their storage capacity.”

Antai called on depot owners to make conceited efforts to control crowd at their sales points in order to avoid explosions.

The controller of operations said also that, henceforth, the department would take samples of the products from the vessels before allowing them to discharge-- to ensure that the products met specifications.

“We are very mindful of the quality of the products that come into the country before they are eventually sold to the general public.”

He charged all depots operators to clearly display the prices of products they sold on billboards. (NAN)

•Photo shows Filling Station