The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has commenced a nationwide enforcement exercise against filling stations accused of short-changing motorists through the under-dispensing of refined petroleum products.
The development has triggered concern among petroleum marketers, retailers and depot operators, following a warning issued by the regulator to industry stakeholders on Wednesday.
The NMDPRA had notified the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN), and Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) of its plans to clamp down on outlets found dispensing less petrol than customers pay for.
The regulator also warned that operators found repeatedly or seriously violating its dispensing requirements could face severe sanctions, including the loss of their operating licences.
“Persistent or serious violations will be subject to appropriate sanctions, up to and including revocation of the outlet’s licence, in line with NMDPRA’s regulations,” the notice reads.
Following the warning, IPMAN and PETROAN moved to alert their members, directing them to examine and verify the accuracy of their dispensing meters to ensure compliance before enforcement actions begin.
PETROAN National President, Billy Gillis-Harry, said on Channels Television on Wednesday that members had been instructed to carry out the checks without delay.
“We circulated a message calling on our members to check their meters as quickly as possible,” Gillis-Harry said.
Similarly, IPMAN spokesperson, Chinedu Ukadike, said he had directed members of the association to comply with the regulator’s directive.
A filling station manager in Abuja, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed receiving the NMDPRA’s warning and acknowledged that some outlets engage in under-dispensing.
According to the manager, the regulator’s latest move has unsettled operators in the sector, although he said he had yet to witness physical enforcement at filling stations.
“Yes, some filling stations are guilty of under-dispensing petroleum products to customers. It is good that the regulator has woken up to its responsibility. NMDPRA has created panic among my colleagues. However, I am yet to see on-site enforcement after the notice,” he said.
The enforcement drive comes amid relatively high petrol prices in Abuja, where motorists are currently paying between N1,395 and N1,450 per litre.
Meanwhile, the Dangote Refinery reduced its gantry price for petrol three days ago, cutting the rate from N1,350 to N1,325 per litre following a decline in crude oil prices.
The reduction subsequently prompted a slight fall in petrol prices at some depots and filling stations.
