Following the ongoing scarcity in Abuja, Niger, Nasarawa, Kaduna, and many other states in Nigeria, oil marketers found guilty of hoarding Premium Motor Spirit risk a withdrawal of their license.
For some time now, some States, particularly those in the north, have experienced constant fuel scarcity. As a result, numerous gas stations have had to close since there isn’t enough supply.
The Federal Government through the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) of the Federal Government has warned oil marketers that their licenses will be revoked for filling stations that hoard gasoline and sell it to illicit marketers in jerrycans.
During an inspection tour in Abuja, the regulator published a video clip featuring Ogbugo Ukoha, the Executive Director of Distribution Systems, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure at NMDPRA, issuing a warning to fuel marketers.
Ukoha was heard telling one of the managers of the inspected stations that “You need to take this (warning) very seriously. If you need security reinforcements, speak to your management.”
Also on its X handle, (formally Twitter)the downstream regulator said it had declared war against the illegal sale of petroleum products.
“NMDPRA embarks on a war against the illegal sale of petroleum products, especially PMS in jerrycans. Filling stations are advised to desist from servicing illegal peddlers; failure to do so would result in the suspension of retail licences,” the agency stated.
