The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has sealed 11 petrol filling stations in Rivers State for alleged sharp practices, including under-dispensing fuel, operating failed pumps, and other regulatory violations.
The affected stations are located across Obio-Akpor and Port Harcourt City Local Government Areas.
Speaking to journalists after the enforcement exercise on Friday, the South-South Regional Coordinator of the NMDPRA, Victor Owodiasa, said the action was carried out under the agency’s ongoing surveillance initiative tagged “Operation One Litre for One Litre.”
According to Owodiasa, the operation is aimed at protecting consumers and ensuring that Nigerians get full value for their money whenever they buy petroleum products.
He explained that the authority has intensified its monitoring activities and will not hesitate to shut down any station found selling outside approved dispensing limits.
“We have decided to upscale our surveillance activities to ensure the public gets one litre for one litre. It is either you dispense within the bandwidth or we shut you down to correct the pump,” he said.
Owodiasa disclosed that a total of 11 facilities were sealed during the operation and would remain closed until the pumps are properly inspected and confirmed to be accurate before reopening.
He warned that repeated offenders may face more serious consequences, including possible licence revocation.
“It is not just for them to correct it and we unseal it. If we discover that some have become persistent offenders, we will recommend revocation of their licences,” he stated.
The coordinator also stressed that the same rules apply to both petrol and gas outlets, noting that the authority would sanction any operator found cheating consumers.
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He urged station owners to regularly check their meters to avoid mechanical faults that could lead to under-dispensing.
“It shouldn’t be when the regulator comes that we discover the meters are under-dispensing or over-dispensing,” he added.
Owodiasa further stated that the agency has zero tolerance for any form of cheating, whether deliberate or accidental.
He also revealed that three gas dispensing outlets were sealed during the operation for under-dispensing and called on the public to report suspected violations for immediate action.
