The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority has warned petrol station operators against under-dispensing petroleum products, saying persistent or serious violations could lead to the revocation of their licences.
The NMDPRA issued the warning in a circular released on Tuesday in Abuja, following reports of under-dispensing at retail outlets across the country.
The regulator described the practice as “a serious breach of consumer trust that will not be tolerated.”
It directed all retail outlet operators to immediately calibrate and verify their fuel dispensers and totalisers to ensure accurate measurement of petroleum products sold to consumers.
The authority said the directive was aimed at protecting consumers and ensuring they receive the full quantity of products for which they pay.
It said, “To safeguard the interests of consumers, all retail outlet operators are hereby directed to carry out immediate calibration and verification of all dispensers and totalizers.
“This is intended to guarantee accurate measurement and ensure that consumers receive the full value of the product they pay for.”
The NMDPRA said it had intensified inspection and enforcement activities nationwide and warned that outlets found under-dispensing or operating with improperly calibrated equipment would be required to take immediate corrective action.
“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,” it said.
The regulator also directed the Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria, Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria, Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria and Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria to notify their members of the directive.
It said the associations were expected to support compliance and ensure that their members adhered to the new directive.
“NMDPRA remains committed to protecting consumers, promoting transparency, and upholding the integrity of petroleum product transactions nationwide,” the authority said.
