The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has warned petrol station operators against under-dispensing petroleum products, saying persistent or serious violations could result in the revocation of their operating licences.
The regulator issued the warning in a circular released on Tuesday in Abuja, following reports of under-dispensing at retail outlets across the country.
The NMDPRA described the practice as “a serious breach of consumer trust that will not be tolerated.”
The authority 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 regulator said the directive was intended to protect consumers and ensure they receive the full quantity of products for which they pay.
“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,” the NMDPRA said.
“This is intended to guarantee accurate measurement and ensure that consumers receive the full value of the product they pay for.”
The authority said it had intensified inspections and enforcement operations nationwide.
According to the regulator, filling stations found to be under-dispensing fuel or operating with improperly calibrated equipment would be required to take immediate corrective action, with persistent or serious violations potentially leading to licence revocation.
The NMDPRA also urged industry associations, including the Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), to communicate the directive to their members.
The associations were also asked to support compliance across the petroleum retail sector.
The regulator reaffirmed its commitment to protecting consumers, promoting transparency and maintaining the integrity of petroleum product transactions across the country.
