Delta: NMDPRA shuts down six fuel stations, gas plant

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Warri Zonal Office, has sealed six petrol retail outlets and an illegal gas refiling plant over sharp practices in Delta State.

Mr Goziem Chukwurah, NMDPRA, Head of Operations in Warri office on Tuesday led a surveillance team of the regulatory authority, to seal the stations in Uvwie and Udu Local Government Areas of the state.

It was gathered that the filling stations were sealed over offences bordering on under-dispensing and lack of operational licenses.

NAN reports that the defaulters included Bwede filling station, Pius A Idoghor Oil and Gas; Eshegbe Oil; Fetega Oil and Sole Energy Enterprise all in Orhuwhorun town, Udu Local Government Area.

Others are, Falcon Bay Oil at PTI junction and another Falcon Bay Oil located on the DSC expressway both in Uvwie Local Government Area.

Chukwurah addressed newsmen at the end of the exercise on behalf of the NMDPRA Coordinator in Delta, Mr Victor Ohwodiasa.

Ohwodiasa said that the purpose of the exercise was to ensure that consumers get values for their money.

“Most of the petrol stations we visited were selling without operational licences, we have to shutdown them and invite the owners to our office.

“We sealed six petrol retail outlets and an illegal gas plant for various offences ranging from lack of operational licenses and under-dispensing of petroleum products to consumers,” he said.

Ohwodiasa urged consumers to report any petroleum marketer that indulged in sharp practices to the regulatory body for appropriate action.

The coordinator assured that the exercise would be a continuous one until the marketers do the right thing.

Ohwodiasa warned marketers to desist from illegalities to avoid their stations been closed.

Meanwhile, a staff of the Falcon Bay Oil was apprehended for violating the NMDPRA’s seal on their dispensing machine.

The suspect was consequently handed over to the appropriate authority for prosecution.