NMDPRA seals 2 fuel stations in Warri for ‘fraudulent activities’
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has sealed two fuel stations in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta.
Mr Idemudia Obeahon, Head, Retail Infrastructure of NMDPRA office in Warri, disclosed this to newsmen on Thursday after a surveillance exercise by the regulatory agency.
Obeahon who led the surveillance team on the routine exercise is currently acting on behalf of the Delta Coordinator of NMDPRA, Mr Victor Ohwodiasa.
He said that the defaulters were sanctioned for offences bordering on under dispensing and operating without valid licenses.
“The surveillance is part of our mandates to ensure that petroleum products are dispensed at the right quality and quantities to the public.
“Routine surveillance is part of our responsibilities and we check practically on a daily basis to ensure the right products are dispensed to the public.
“We check for quality to ensure the marketers sell the right quality. We also check for under-dispensing to ensure they sell the right quality and quantity to the consumers.
“Beyond that, we also check to know if the marketers are selling in a safe and secured environment. This is a normal routine exercise that we do almost everyday.
“Though, there are bound to be defaulters, so, today, we have sealed two filling stations majorly for under-dispensing and operating with expired licenses,” he said.
Obeahon acknowledged that the marketers were into business to maximise profit, but, however, advised them to sell quality products and also dispense the right quantities to the consumers.
He urged consumers to be vigilant while buying petroleum products and to report sharp practices by the marketers to the NMDPRA for appropriate sanction.
Obeahon noted that there was not much pressure in Warri in terms of the availability of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) unlike what is currently happening in some parts of the country.
“Unlike some parts of the country, there is not much pressure in Warri; some filling stations are virtually empty, as they have products but no customers to buy.
“Also, we have not experienced buying in Jerry Cans for trans-border smuggling out of the state; we are on the watch out,” he said.
The team also inspected a fuel station belonging to Rainoil on Ogunu road, Total Energies at Okumagba Ave by Airport road and Newbridge fuel station also by the Airport road.
Odafe Global Oil and Gas Company Limited and Matrix Energy both on the Airport road, A A Rano at the Effurun/Sapele road and the NNPC station situated on the NPA expressway by Niger Cat. we’re also inspected.
