In an effort to curb sharp practices in Delta State, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Warri Zonal Office, has taken decisive action by sealing six petrol retail outlets and an illegal gas refilling plant.
Leading a surveillance team of the regulatory authority, Mr. Goziem Chukwurah, Head of Operations in the Warri office, sealed the stations located in Uvwie and Udu Local Government Areas of the state.
The sealing of these fuel stations was a result of offenses related to under-dispensing of fuel and a lack of operational licenses.
The affected fuel stations include Bwede filling station, Pius A Idoghor Oil and Gas, Eshegbe Oil, Fetega Oil, and Sole Energy Enterprise, all situated in Orhuwhorun town in Udu Local Government Area. Additionally, Falcon Bay Oil at PTI junction and another Falcon Bay Oil located on the DSC expressway, both situated in Uvwie Local Government Area, were also sealed.
Addressing the media at the end of the exercise, Mr. Goziem Chukwurah spoke on behalf of Mr. Victor Ohwodiasa, the NMDPRA Coordinator in Delta State. Chukwurah emphasized that the purpose of the operation was to ensure that consumers receive fair value for their money.
He stated, “Most of the petrol stations we visited were selling petroleum products without operational licenses. We had no choice but to shut them down and summon the owners to our office.”
In light of the sealing of these petrol retail outlets and the illegal gas plant, Mr. Ohwodiasa urged consumers to promptly report any petroleum marketer engaged in fraudulent practices to the regulatory body for swift and appropriate action.
Assuring the public, Mr. Ohwodiasa stressed that these operations would continue until all marketers comply with the necessary regulations.
Furthermore, he issued a stern warning to all marketers, cautioning them to refrain from any illegal activities in order to avoid the closure of their respective fuel stations.
Meanwhile, during the exercise, a staff member of Falcon Bay Oil was apprehended for violating the NMDPRA’s seal on their dispensing machine. The offender has since been handed over to the appropriate authority for prosecution.
