“One litre should be one litre”: NMDPRA go hard on fuel stations, shut down two retailers in Delta
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has shut down two petroleum retail outlets and two gas stations in Delta State due to various regulatory violations.
The state coordinator for NMDPRA, Engr. Victor Ohwodiasa, announced the closures on Thursday while addressing the media in Warri.
According to Ohwodiasa, the closures occurred on Tuesday and Wednesday at locations in Asaba and Ibusa after NMDPRA surveillance identified practices such as under-dispensing and operating without valid licenses. “The authority will not tolerate any situation where consumers are shortchanged. Our mandate is to protect consumers and ensure they receive what they pay for. When we detect violations like under-dispensing, we immediately act to seal the facilities involved,” he emphasized.
Ohwodiasa highlighted that while minor mechanical errors are allowable, exceeding these limits results in immediate facility shutdown. “One litre should be one litre—no more, no less,” he insisted, urging petroleum marketers to calibrate pumps accurately to prevent defrauding customers.
NMDPRA’s surveillance efforts, he added, will remain rigorous during the high-demand “ember months” to protect consumers. He encouraged the public to report any issues such as under-dispensing, poor fuel quality, or suspected product diversions to NMDPRA, stating, “We rely on consumers to be vigilant and report such cases, so we can act swiftly to ensure compliance.”
Ohwodiasa assured Delta residents that NMDPRA would keep monitoring fuel stations across the state, prioritizing fair pricing, accurate dispensing, and prompt response to consumer complaints.
