Editor
The Federal Government has issued a stern warning to oil marketers regarding the hoarding of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol), threatening to revoke the licenses of those found guilty of such practices.
This warning comes in light of the ongoing fuel scarcity being experienced in various states including Abuja, Niger, Nasarawa, and Kaduna.
Several states, particularly those in the Northern region, have been grappling with a persistent shortage of petrol, leading to the closure of many filling stations due to inadequate supply. In response, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has taken a firm stance against petrol hoarding and illicit sales to black market vendors.
During an inspection tour in Abuja, the Executive Director of Distribution Systems, Storage, and Retailing Infrastructure at NMDPRA, Ogbugo Ukoha, emphasized the gravity of the situation to station managers, urging them to cease the practice of selling to unauthorized sellers who distribute petrol in jerrycans. Ukoha highlighted the safety hazards posed by such actions and stressed the need for immediate cessation.
The downstream regulator, through its official channels, declared a campaign against the illegal sale of petroleum products, particularly PMS in jerrycans. Filling stations were explicitly instructed to refrain from catering to unauthorized vendors, with non-compliance risking the suspension of their retail licenses.
Earlier explanations attributing the fuel scarcity to operational challenges during vessel discharge operations and adverse weather conditions were provided by the NNPC Ltd. Efforts were underway to address these issues and restore normalcy to fuel distribution operations, despite the persistent challenges faced, especially in the Northern states.
