FG Shuts Down Filling Stations for Cheating Customers as Marketers Hint on Fuel Price Crash
- NMDPRA has shut down two petroleum retail outlets and two gas stations in Delta state due to sharp practices
- The impacted stations engaged in under-dispensing, operating without legitimate licenses, and other unlawful activities
- The authority announced that NMDPRA would continue to enforce strict procedures to avoid any discrepancies in fuel dispensing
Legit.ng journalist Zainab Iwayemi has 5-year-experience covering the Economy, Technology, and Capital Market.
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has closed two gas stations and two retail petroleum outlets in Delta state due to illegal practices.
Source: Getty Images
NMDPRA's Delta state coordinator, Engineer Victor Ohwodiasa, revealed this on Thursday, November 14, 2024, during a press briefing in Warri.
Ohwodiasa claimed in a Daily Trust report that the shutdown occurred between Tuesday and Wednesday at various places in the Asaba and Ibusa areas after the regulatory authority's team conducted surveillance.
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He pointed out that the impacted stations engaged in illegal activities, such as operating without a valid license and under-dispensing.
“The authority will not tolerate any situation where consumers are shortchanged. Our mandate is to protect consumers and ensure they receive what they pay for. When we detect violations like under-dispensing, we immediately act to seal the facilities involved,” Ohwodiasa stated.
NMDPR to enforce stringent rules
He declared that to prevent any disparities in fuel dispensing, NMDPRA would keep enforcing stringent regulations.
“There may be slight mechanical errors, but when they exceed allowable limits, we shut down the facility. One litre should be one litre—no more, no less,” he added.
Ohwodiasa also advised gasoline marketers to ensure that their pumps are precisely calibrated to prevent inconsistencies that can deceive consumers.
“Our surveillance activities are aimed at protecting consumers. This week alone, we sealed four stations in Asaba and Ibusa for failing to comply with licensing and dispensing regulations,” he said.
“We are committed to ensuring that petroleum products remain available to consumers, sold at fair prices, and accurately dispensed,” he said.
He urged the public to notify the regulating agency of any questionable practices at gas stations, including underdispensing, subpar products, or possible diversions.
“We rely on consumers to be vigilant and report such cases, so we can act swiftly to ensure compliance,” he noted.
Reacting to this, some Nigerians have urged that the federal government to extend sanctions to other filling stations across the country that indulges in similar act.
Dopesi Laide said,
"This is not new across filling stations. They have a way of manipulating things in such a way that even if customers fill their tanks, it wouldn't last for long."
Peter Eze said,
"For me, I have stopped using random filling stations because of their dubious practices. the government need to look into the operations of many more filling stations."
Factors suggesting petrol prices will drop soon
Legit.ng earlier reported that the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association (PETROAN) praised the management of Dangote Refinery for working cooperatively with the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) to establish a transactional direct sales deal for premium motor spirit (PMS).
According to Leadership, Dr. Joseph Obele, PETROAN's national public relations officer, stated in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, November 12, that the development suggests a potential decrease in the cost of PMS.
Proofreading by James, Ojo Adakole, journalist and copy editor at Legit.ng.
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