Nigeria Warns Oil Marketers Against Hoarding, Threatens License Revocation Amid Fuel Scarcity

The Federal Government of Nigeria has issued a stern warning to oil marketers, threatening to revoke the licenses of those found guilty of hoarding Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol. This comes in response to the persistent fuel scarcity plaguing Abuja, Niger, Nasarawa, Kaduna, and several other states, particularly in the northern region.

The ongoing shortage has forced many filling stations to shut down due to inadequate supply, exacerbating the crisis. In a decisive move, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has cautioned oil marketers against engaging in illegal activities, including hoarding petrol and selling it to black marketers in jerrycans.

Ogbugo Ukoha, the Executive Director of Distribution Systems, Storage, and Retailing Infrastructure at NMDPRA, delivered the warning during an inspection tour in Abuja. He emphasized the gravity of the situation, urging retail station managers to take the warning seriously and seek security reinforcements if necessary.

NMDPRA North-Central Regional Coordinator, Haj. Maijiddah Abdulkadir and her surveillance team visited selected Retail Outlets across the FCT
photo credit: NMDPRA

Ukoha highlighted the safety risks associated with selling petrol to black marketers and urged stations to cease such practices immediately. The NMDPRA has declared a “war” against the illegal sale of petroleum products and warned that any station found violating the regulations will face severe consequences, including the suspension of their retail licenses.

The government’s proactive stance is aimed at curbing the widespread fuel scarcity and ensuring that petroleum products are distributed fairly and safely to consumers across the country.

Written by Boom RadioNG