NMDPRA seals filling stations over petrol under-dispensing

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has expressed concern over under-dispensing of petrol by filling stations in spite  high fuel prices.

The NMDPRA Chief Executive, Malam Farouk Ahmed, raised the concern on Thursday during an inspection of filling stations in Port Harcourt.

The inspection led to the sealing of two filling stations, Stage Oil and MRS, along the CFC area of Aba Road, over alleged under-dispensing of petrol to customers.

Represented by Dr Mustapha Lamorde, Executive Director, Health, Safety, Environment and Community, NMDPRA, Ahmed said the authority would continue to sanction operators found violating regulations.

He said the surveillance involved random sampling and on-the-spot screening to check the quality and quantity of petroleum products and ensure compliance with national standards.

“Some of the retail outlets were found to be under-dispensing. They were immediately sealed.

“It is unfortunate that some filling station operators are still cheating customers, especially at a time when Nigerians are grappling with high fuel prices,” he said.

Ahmed said the affected filling stations would face full regulatory sanctions to serve as a deterrent to other operators who might deliberately tamper with their meters.

He said the findings from the inspection were mixed, with some outlets complying with regulations while others were found to be over-dispensing or under-dispensing.

“The ultimate objective of this exercise is to ensure that consumers receive the quantity and quality of petroleum products they pay for,” he said.

The NMDPRA chief executive said, however, that under-dispensing was not on the rise, attributing the reduction to regular surveillance of filling stations.

He assured Nigerians that the authority’s personnel were conducting routine surveillance across the country.

“Our men and women are out there in the field. Their job, basically, is to go out for routine surveillance and check all these parameters,” he said.

Ahmed urged Nigerians to report suspected violations by filling stations through the agency’s website, social media platforms and contact numbers.

Meanwhile, NMDPRA has partnered with Bureau Veritas and Ace Energy and Power Solutions Ltd. to strengthen petroleum product quality testing.

Ahmed said the partnership would strengthen the agency’s regulatory oversight through capacity building, standardisation and staff training.

According to him, the collaboration would also support the deployment of world-class laboratory equipment and the agency’s pursuit of international accreditation.

He said NMDPRA had nine laboratories strategically located across the country for petroleum product testing and regulatory surveillance.

“The authority is currently modernising its Port Harcourt laboratory as part of the first phase of its laboratory development programme,” he said.

Ahmed said other laboratories under the first phase were located in Lagos, Calabar and Warri, while the second phase would cover the hinterland.

“We are in the process of digitalising these laboratories. Product certification, surveillance and compliance monitoring will be fully digitalised,” he said.

The NMDPRA boss said the agency was moving from field surveillance to laboratory-based evidence to support regulatory decisions and enforcement.

He said NMDPRA had upgraded existing laboratory equipment, calibrated them and procured additional world-class equipment for petroleum product analysis.

“A sulphur analyser at the laboratory can measure sulphur content below 10 parts per billion, against Nigeria’s sulphur specification and the ECOWAS roadmap targeting 10 parts per million by 2030,” he said.