FG Shuts Down Filling Stations for Cheating Customers as Marketers Hint on Fuel Price Crash

• NMDPRA 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.

Two gas stations and two retail petroleum outlets in Delta State have been closed by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) as a result of harsh practices.

NMDPRA’s Delta State Coordinator, Engineer Victor Ohwodiasa, revealed this Thursday during a press briefing in Warri, Delta State.

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.

He pointed out that the impacted stations engaged in illegal activities such as operating without a valid license and under-dispensing.

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“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 in order 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.

In order to prevent inconsistencies that can deceive consumers, Ohwodiasa also advised gasoline marketers to make sure their pumps are precisely calibrated.

“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.

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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.

Factors suggesting petrol prices will drop soon

Legit.ng reported that the management of Dangote Refinery has received praise from the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association (PETROAN) 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 PETROAN’s national public relations officer, Dr. Joseph Obele, who provided the remark to Leadership in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, November 12, the development suggests that the cost of PMS may be going down.

According to the announcement, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s (NNPC) intermediary function has ended as a result of the agreement between Dangote Refinery and IPMAN.

Source: Legit.ng