The Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, has introduced a computer application to monitor how petroleum products in all the filling stations within the country operate.
This was just as the body also closed down a filling station for selling adulterated petroleum products and seven gas stations for illegal operations.
The Zonal Controller, DPR, Port Harcourt Zonal Office, Bassey Nkanga, who unveiled the application, Downstream Remote Monitoring System, DRMS, weekend a two-day stakeholders’ meeting in Port Harcourt with petrol and gas station owners including other operators in the downstream sector, said the platform would be deployed to check hoarding and diversion of products by marketers.
Nkanga disclosed that the software would also help marketers to monitor activities in their filling stations in order to have good records of sold and available products even in their absence.
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 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 monitors your filling station no matter where you are. It will address corruption and stealing and gives 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”
He further revealed that the DPR has shut a filling station for selling adulterated products and seven unlicensed Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) refilling plants in Rivers State.
The DPR Chief emphasized that the department would not compromise known safety standards and quality of petroleum products sold to members of the public.
