FG Cracks Down on Fuel Hoarding: Licences at risk for marketers
The Federal Government has issued a stern warning to oil marketers, threatening to revoke the licences of those found hoarding Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol. This comes in response to persistent fuel shortages affecting Abuja, Niger, Nasarawa, Kaduna, and other states, particularly in the North.
Many filling stations have shut down due to supply issues, exacerbating the scarcity. The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has now taken a firm stance, cautioning that stations engaging in hoarding and selling to black marketers will face licence suspension.
Ogbugo Ukoha, Executive Director of Distribution Systems, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure at NMDPRA, delivered the warning during an inspection tour in Abuja. Ukoha emphasised that filling stations must cease transactions with black marketers, who often sell petrol in jerrycans—a practice that poses significant safety risks.
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The NMDPRA has declared a “war” on illegal petrol sales, urging filling stations to avoid servicing unauthorised sellers. Non-compliance with these regulations could result in the suspension of retail licences.
Previously, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) attributed the fuel shortages in Abuja and Lagos to operational delays with vessel discharges and adverse weather conditions. NNPCL’s spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, indicated that efforts were underway to resolve these issues and restore normal supply.
Despite these assurances, fuel scarcity remains a pressing issue in many northern states.
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