BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority has threatened to revoke the operational license of fuel stations caught under-dispensing petroleum products, compelling the regulator to order immediate checks and calibration of fuel dispensers nationwide.
This was even as the Commission mandated retail outlets nationwide to immediately calibrate and verify their fuel dispensers and totalisers, warning that outlets caught under-dispensing petroleum products risk sanctions.
The NMDPRA issued the directive via its official X handle on Tuesday in Abuja, describing the act as a serious breach of consumer trust.
It said: “The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority has observed incidents of under-dispensing of petroleum products at retail outlets nationwide. The Authority views this as a serious breach of consumer trust that will not be tolerated.
“To safeguard the interests of consumers, all retail outlet operators are hereby directed to carry out immediate calibration and verification of all dispensers and totalizers. This is intended to guarantee accurate measurement and ensure that consumers receive the full value of the product they pay for.”
The Authority cautioned that it had intensified inspections and enforcement operations nationwide and would take action against stations found to be short-changing consumers.
“NMDPRA has intensified inspections and enforcement activities nationwide. Outlets found to be under-dispensing, operating with improperly calibrated equipment, or otherwise compromising dispensing accuracy will be required to take immediate corrective action,” it stated.
While mandating all retail outlet operators to immediately check and calibrate their dispensing equipment to ensure accurate measurement, the Authority added that repeated or serious violations could lead to the withdrawal of operating licenses.
“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 Authority said.
The latest enforcement action was aimed at preventing sharp practices and improving confidence in petroleum product transactions, just as NMDPRA directed major industry associations to ensure that their members complied with the directive.
It called on the Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria, the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria and the Petroleum Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria to communicate the directive to their members.
“MEMAN, DAPPMAN, IPMAN and PETROAN are kindly requested to promptly notify their members of this directive and to support full compliance across the industry,” the regulator said.
NMDPRA stated that consumer protection remained a key part of its regulatory responsibility, particularly in ensuring that petroleum transactions were transparent and accurately measured.
The Authority remains committed to protecting consumers, promoting transparency, and upholding the integrity of petroleum product transactions nationwide.
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