NMDPRA Cracks Down on Warri Petrol Stations

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has sealed eight petroleum retail outlets in Warri and its surrounding areas for various regulatory violations.

The closures, which took place on Sunday, were announced by Victor Ohwodiasa, the Coordinator for Delta State, during a press briefing in Warri on Tuesday.

The affected stations were found guilty of several offences, including under-dispensing fuel, operating without valid licences, poor safety practices, and inadequate housekeeping. The stations are located in Ifiekporo, Ughoton, Ubeji, Effurun/Sapele Road, and Ovwian in the Udu Local Government Area of Delta State.

Ohwodiasa explained that the routine surveillance, which is part of the NMDPRA’s core mandate, was conducted to ensure that customers receive the correct quantity and quality of petroleum products.

He stated that operators of these retail outlets had been adjusting their meters, particularly during weekends, to shortchange customers.

“Our surveillance team was on the field on Sunday to checkmate the petroleum retail outlets on sharp practices,” Ohwodiasa stated. “We visited 27 stations, and eight were found to be in violation of various regulations. These stations have been sanctioned, and appropriate penalties will be imposed according to the NMDPRA’s procedural guidelines.”

Although some of the violators were first-time offenders, Ohwodiasa stated that they would still face the full extent of the law. He warned that repeat offenders would face stricter punishments.

The NMDPRA coordinator also condemned the unethical practice of shortchanging customers, describing it as “ungodly.” He appealed to the public to report any instances of malpractice, such as under-dispensing, poor safety measures, or substandard products, to the NMDPRA office in Warri. He assured that the authority would take immediate action on such complaints and provide feedback to the informants.

Ohwodiasa also expressed concern over petroleum marketers charging customers for Point of Sale (PoS) transaction fees, which, he clarified, should be borne by the station owners. He urged consumers to report such incidents to the NMDPRA, emphasizing that the use of PoS machines is a cost for the station, not the customer.

The NMDPRA has pledged to continue its surveillance efforts to ensure that all petroleum marketers comply with the rules and regulations set forth to protect consumers.