The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has shut down two filling stations in Ogun State over allegations of under-dispensing petrol and breaching provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021. The affected outlets, Mangarborn Energy and Mobil Filling Station, are located in the Akute/Ajuwon axis of Ifo Local Government Area.
Enforcement Operation Targets Consumer Protection
The enforcement operation was carried out as part of ongoing efforts to protect consumers and ensure compliance with regulations governing the downstream petroleum sector. During the exercise on Monday, Olufemi Adebowale, Head of Distribution Systems, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure at the NMDPRA Abeokuta Field Office, stated that investigations revealed one of the filling stations had consistently dispensed less fuel than customers paid for.
Adebowale also alleged that the station unlawfully removed official regulatory seals placed on its premises and resumed operations without obtaining approval from the authority. He said the regulator would no longer tolerate operators who short-change customers or flout regulatory directives.
Station Accused of Repeated Violations
According to Adebowale, the NMDPRA has monitored the station since 2025 and has sealed it on at least six separate occasions for similar infractions. He added that the operator also failed to honour several invitations issued by the regulatory agency. “It is high time we made it clear that they cannot continue to under-dispense products, deliberately remove our seals and believe that nothing will happen. That is why we are here to enforce the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021,” Adebowale said.
Licences May Be Suspended
Adebowale disclosed that both filling stations would remain closed until they fulfilled all regulatory conditions, including the payment of applicable fines and penalties. He added that the authority is considering suspending the operating licences of the affected outlets, subject to the approval of NMDPRA management. The official warned petroleum marketers against under-dispensing fuel, tampering with official seals or disregarding regulatory directives, stressing that offenders would face sanctions under the Petroleum Industry Act.
He further cautioned that any attempt to reopen the sealed stations or remove NMDPRA seals without authorisation would amount to a criminal offence and could lead to prosecution.
