Date: 2016-10-04

The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has recounted how it unmasked three illegal lube production outlets in Kwara State, saying the illicit act poses great danger to the national economy.

The department said the lubricants produced by the illegal factories were embossed with logos of legitimate lube oil producers and stacked in large quantities in various warehouses.

Speaking at an emergency stakeholders' forum in Ilorin, the state Operations Controller of DPR, Mr Salvation Philip, listed the illegal oil firms as Manna Business Enterprises, Woopet Ogbus on Ajase-Ipo Road, Ilorin and Segmax located at Ogbondoroko in Asa Local Government Area of the state.

He said the samples of the products collected from the illicit firms had been taken to laboratory for proper analysis, and explained that the nefarious activities of the culprits also deprived the licensed lube oil producers and major marketers of legitimate earnings.

He said the forum was convened to alert members of the public on the illegal production and large scale circulation of off-spec lubricating oil uncovered in some parts of the state.

The forum was attended by representatives of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, security agencies and other stakeholders in the oil and gas sector.