Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, has warned petroleum marketers against under-dispensing of fuel, saying stricter sanctions may be imposed on operators found repeatedly shortchanging consumers.
The warning came as the Authority Chief Executive, NMDPRA, Mallam Rabiu Umar, met with the leadership of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, as part of ongoing engagements with key stakeholders in the downstream petroleum sector.
Speaking during the meeting, Umar described IPMAN as a critical stakeholder in Nigeria’s petroleum value chain, noting that its members play a pivotal role in ensuring the availability of petroleum products across the country, particularly at the retail level.
He noted that recent developments in the global energy market have continued to influence domestic petroleum product pricing and assured that the Authority was working closely with industry stakeholders to promote stability and business harmony across the sector.
The NMDPRA boss stressed that consumer protection remains a key regulatory priority, warning operators against practices that undermine public confidence.
According to him, “Consumer protection remains a top priority for the Authority,” as he cautioned marketers against under-dispensing and other practices that shortchange consumers.
Umar also urged petroleum marketers to position themselves for opportunities emerging from the energy transition, including converting underutilised filling stations into Compressed Natural Gas, CNG, dispensing outlets and electric vehicle charging stations where feasible.
Speaking on behalf of IPMAN, the association’s National President, Alhaji Abubakar Maigandi Shettima, expressed concern over the impact of frequent petroleum product price adjustments on independent marketers.
Shettima said retailers often bear the brunt of market volatility, adding that issues relating to outstanding subsidy-era claims, administrative charges and challenges in accessing products directly from domestic refineries continue to affect operators.
He, however, assured the regulator of IPMAN’s continued support and reaffirmed the association’s commitment to compliance with industry regulations and the promotion of CNG adoption among its members.
Also speaking, the Executive Director, Distribution Systems, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure, DSSRI, Mr. Ogbugo Ukoha, identified under-dispensing as a major challenge within the retail segment of the downstream petroleum industry.
Ukoha said the practice undermines consumer confidence and disclosed that the Authority is considering tougher enforcement measures against offending operators.
He stated, “Under-dispensing is a major concern that undermines consumer confidence,” adding that NMDPRA is weighing stronger sanctions against serial offenders while continuing stakeholder engagements to encourage voluntary compliance before resorting to stricter regulatory actions.
