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The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has sealed some filling stations in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for under-dispensing and other infractions, insisting that the exercise is part of its routine surveillance nationwide.
Executive Director, Health, Safety, Environment and Community of the NMDPRA, Dr Mustapha Lamorde, disclosed this during a field inspection and laboratory assessment in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
Lamorde said the operation was not a one-off sting but a regular mandate of the Authority to ensure consumers get value for money and products that meet national quality specifications.
“This is part of our routine surveillance and mandate. It’s a usual practice within the agency. And it’s not just happening here in Port Harcourt. We’ve seen our people going out in Abuja and other parts of the country to make sure Nigerians are not shortchanged and that the quality is on spec,” he said.
He explained that the surveillance covers three critical areas – quantity, quality and safety of operations at retail outlets.
“What we did in the field is to look at the quantity, that what you are buying is relative to what you are selling, and also the quality, to ensure it is fit for purpose and conforms with our national quality specification. And importantly, the safety of the operation of the retail outlets,” Lamorde stated.
According to him, the exercise covers all petroleum products, including Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, Automotive Gas Oil, AGO, and Dual Purpose Kerosene, DPK.
On infractions discovered during the Port Harcourt operation, the Executive Director said some outlets were found to be under-dispensing.
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“What we found is some retail outlets are actually under-dispensing. What we did immediately is to seal off some of these outlets, and necessary regulatory action will follow with sanctions. For those that are on spec, we encourage them to keep doing what they are doing,” he said.
He revealed that two filling stations, including Stage Oil and MRS, were sealed during the exercise, while one outlet was found to be over-dispensing and was advised to recalibrate its pumps.
Lamorde said the end goal is to protect consumers’ health, their vehicles, the environment, and restore confidence in the downstream sector.
He dismissed insinuations that field officers were not working, saying operatives are deployed daily across state and field offices nationwide.
“This is a continuous exercise, an everyday exercise. Our men are always there in the field. We will continue to do our job to make sure the quality of product Nigerians get is on spec and they get what they pay for,” he assured.
He urged Nigerians to report infractions through the Authority’s website, social media handles and contact numbers.
Meanwhile, NMDPRA has signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bureau Veritas and Ace Energy and Power Solutions Limited to strengthen its capacity.
