The Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, has re-opened petroleum products depots in the Ijegun-Egba area of Satellite Town sealed by the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority, AASPPA, stating that the agency has no powers to carry out such action. The 8 depots, shut by AASPPA recently, are Wosbab Energy Solutions, Emadeb Energy Services Ltd., Mao Petroleum Ltd., Menj Oil Ltd., Oceanpride Energy Services Ltd., A.A. Rano Nigeria Ltd., AIPEC Oil and Gas Ltd. and First Royal Oil Ltd. Ordering the immediate re-opening of the depots in a statement, the Zonal Operations Controller, DPR, Lagos Zone, Ayorinde Cardoso, said the facilities were carrying out essential services and that tampering with their operations could trigger fuel shortage. Moreover, according to him, the oil and gas business was under the exclusive legislative list as provided for in the 1999 Constitution, saying this exempts the sector from the authority of LASPPA and other state government agencies.
