The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has sealed eight petroleum retail outlets in Warri and its environs for various regulatory violations.
Engr. Victor Ohwodiasa, the NMDPRA Coordinator in Delta State, disclosed this on Tuesday, revealing that the outlets were shut down on Sunday for offences such as under-dispensing fuel, operating without valid licences, poor safety standards, and inadequate housekeeping.
The affected stations, he said, were located in Ifiekporo, Ughoton, Ubeji, Effurun/Sapele Road, and the Ovwian community in Udu Local Government Area.
Ohwodiasa explained that the enforcement exercise aligns with NMDPRA’s mandate to ensure that consumers receive accurate quantities and quality of petroleum products.
He further revealed that operators often tamper with their dispensing metres during weekends, necessitating routine surveillance.
“During the operation, 27 stations were inspected, and eight were found guilty of various infringements. These facilities have been sanctioned, and penalties will be applied in line with NMDPRA procedural guidelines.
Even first offenders will face consequences, and repeat violations will attract stricter punishment,” he said.
The coordinator emphasized that the purpose of the exercise is to correct errant practices rather than merely punish offenders.
He described the act of shortchanging customers as unethical and urged consumers to report sharp practices such as under-dispensing and unsafe operations to the authority for swift action.
“Customers must receive full value for their money,” Ohwodiasa affirmed.
Addressing concerns about additional charges for PoS transactions at fuel stations, he stressed that such charges should be borne by station owners, not customers.
He encouraged the public to report any incidents of undue PoS charges, assuring that NMDPRA would take necessary action against defaulters.
He reiterated the authority’s commitment to sustaining its surveillance operations until all marketers comply fully with NMDPRA regulations, ensuring fairness and safety in petroleum retailing.
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