The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has shut down multiple retail outlets in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for under-dispensing fuel and breaching regulatory standards. The regulatory body clarified that the enforcement action is part of an ongoing, nationwide routine monitoring exercise.
​The operation, carried out on Thursday morning along the CFC area of Aba Road in Port Harcourt, targeted retail outlets suspected of shortchanging consumers through faulty or deliberately tampered metering systems.
​Among the retail outlets affected by the immediate shutdown were Stage Oil and an MRS filling station. Inspection officers discovered that the pumps at these stations dispensed volumes significantly lower than the metered figures paid for by motorists. Conversely, one outlet inspected during the drive was found to be over-dispensing fuel and was directed to immediately recalibrate its pumps.
​Speaking on behalf of the NMDPRA Chief Executive, Mallam Rabiu Umar, the Executive Director of Health, Safety, Environment, and Community (HSEC), Dr. Mustapha Lamorde, emphasized that the enforcement drive is a continuous regulatory duty rather than an isolated operation.
​”This is part of our routine surveillance and mandate. It is usual practice within the agency,” Dr. Lamorde stated shortly after the inspection exercise. “We have seen our officers active in Abuja and across all field offices nationwide to ensure Nigerians are not shortchanged and that the quality of petroleum products meets required national specifications.”
​Dr. Lamorde explained that the surveillance covers three core parameters across all refined products, including Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK).
​The NMDPRA confirmed that the sealed stations will remain closed and face regulatory sanctions until the operators fully recalibrate their dispensing units and pay the necessary fines.
​Following the field exercise, the NMDPRA delegation returned to its Port Harcourt Zonal Office to sign a strategic tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bureau Veritas and Ace Energy and Power Solutions Limited.
The partnership, signed by Dr. Lamorde alongside Bureau Veritas Managing Director Daniel Wilbert and Ace Energy Group CEO Christopher Nwokolo, aims to boost technical laboratory capabilities and product testing standards across the country.
​The authority urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspected sharp practices, under-dispensing, or substandard products through the NMDPRA’s official website, direct contact numbers, and social media handles.
