Edo State Petrol and Gas Operators Begin Recertification Following Government Directive

Operators of Premium Motor Spirit, often referred to as petrol and gas in Edo State, have begun the process of recertifying their facilities, following a recent directive from the Edo State Government.

To recall, the Edo State Government had previously instructed those in the oil and gas industry to start the recertification of their establishments within the state.

This instruction was given during the Benin City and Edo State Regional Development Master Plans Stakeholders Meeting, which took place on Thursday, July 27th, 2023, at the Festival Hall in Government House, Benin City.

The state government emphasized that the purpose of this recertification is to ensure that oil and gas businesses operate in an environment that prioritizes the safety and security of its residents.

Based on details shared by the Edo State Commissioner for Information and Communication, some of the operators who have already adhered to this directive include Raptor Petroleum (Textile Mill Road), Raptor Petroleum (2nd East Circular), and Raptor Petroleum (Sapele Road). Additionally, Iyare-Napo Filling Station (Ugbiyokho), Victor Umweni Petroleum (Sapele Road), Sitravack Nigeria Limited (Isihor), and Rodel Zuwa (Igue-Ihaen) in Benin City have also complied.

The state government, however, urged the various petrol and gas station owners and operators who have not recertified their facilities to use the three-month grace period to do their recertification at the Ministry of Physical Planning, Housing, Urban, and Regional Development.

It would also be recalled that the Commissioner for Physical Planning, Housing, Urban, and Regional Development, Ms Isoken Omo, recently revealed during a stakeholder meeting that statistics from a recent survey carried out by her Ministry were alarming.

She expressed shock over the clusters of gasoline and gas stations in residential neighbourhoods, most of which do not have approvals.

She noted during the meeting that out of the 812 gasoline and gas stations in the State, only 200 of them had the necessary approval.

According to her, these illegalities pose dangers such as traffic nuisance, fire incidents, noise pollution, and effects on the ozone layer, among others.