The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has sealed eight petroleum retail outlets in and around Warri.
The Coordinator of NMDPRA in Delta State, Eng. Victor Ohwodiasa revealed this on Tuesday, stating that the outlets were closed on Sunday for offenses such as insufficient dispensing, operating without valid licences, poor safety standards and poor housekeeping.
The surveillance exercise, he explained, aligns with the authority's mandate to ensure that customers receive accurate quantities and quality of petroleum products.
Ohwodiasa noted that retail operators often tamper with their meters during weekends, prompting the authority's surveillance team to monitor compliance. During the operation, 27 stations were inspected and eight were found guilty of various violations.
“These facilities have been sanctioned and sanctions will be applied in accordance with NMDPRA procedural guidelines. “Even first-time offenders will face consequences, and repeat violations will attract stricter punishments,” he said.
He stressed that the exercise aims to correct wrong practices instead of only punishing offenders.
He added that defrauding customers is unethical, and urged consumers to report aggressive practices, such as non-dispensing and unsafe practices, to NMDPRA for immediate action. Customers, he said, should receive full value for their money.
Ohwodiasa also addressed concerns about gas stations charging customers for PoS transactions, noting that station owners, not customers, should bear such charges.
He called on the public to report such incidents and assured that the NMDPRA would act on complaints.
The coordinator reiterated that surveillance efforts would continue until all marketers comply with NMDPRA regulations, ensuring fairness and safety in retail petroleum operations.