The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has uncovered cases of fuel under-dispensing at filling stations across the country, warning operators found short-changing consumers that they risk losing their licences.
The regulator issued the warning in an industry circular released in Abuja on Tuesday, directing all retail outlets to immediately check, calibrate and verify their fuel dispensers and totalisers.
The NMDPRA said the directive followed its discovery of incidents in which motorists and other consumers may have received less petroleum products than the quantities displayed on fuel pumps or for which they paid.
“The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority has observed incidents of under-dispensing of petroleum products at retail outlets nationwide. The Authority views this as a serious breach of consumer trust that will not be tolerated,” it said.
The regulator said it had intensified inspections and enforcement operations nationwide and would compel stations found under-dispensing or using improperly calibrated equipment to take immediate corrective action.
It warned that persistent or serious violations could lead to the withdrawal of operating licences.
“Persistent or serious violations will be subject to appropriate sanctions, up to and including revocation of the outlet’s licence, in line with NMDPRA’s regulations,” the Authority stated.
The NMDPRA explained that under-dispensing occurs when a filling station’s equipment delivers less fuel than the quantity displayed or paid for by a customer.
It directed the Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria, Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria and Petroleum Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria to communicate the directive to their members and ensure compliance.
The Authority said the enforcement exercise was aimed at protecting consumers, promoting transparency and ensuring accurate measurement in petroleum product transactions nationwide.
