NMDPRA warns against illegal fuel sales as scarcity hits

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has issued a warning to petrol retailers amid the ongoing fuel scarcity affecting Abuja and neighboring Nasarawa and Niger states.

The authority cautioned filling stations against selling Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to unauthorized buyers, particularly black market operators.

In a statement posted on its official X account, NMDPRA underscored that filling stations found to be complicit in illegal fuel sales would face severe penalties, including the suspension of their retail licenses.

“NMDPRA has launched a crackdown on the illegal sale of petroleum products, especially the sale of PMS in jerrycans. Retailers are strongly advised to refrain from supplying black marketeers, as doing so will result in the suspension of their operating licenses,” the statement warned.

This directive comes as fuel scarcity continues to deepen in the Federal Capital Territory. Reports on Friday reveal that many filling stations in Abuja are either closed or have stopped dispensing fuel, with only a few exceptions, such as the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) outlets, still operational. The scarcity has led to long lines and frustration among motorists.

Earlier, the NNPCL had attributed the scarcity to delays in the discharge of fuel from several vessels. Despite these assurances, the shortage persists, highlighting the need for more robust and lasting solutions.

Billy Gillis-Harry, President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association (PETROAN), recently urged the government to establish a dedicated “war council” to tackle the recurring fuel scarcity, stressing the importance of finding a sustainable solution to this ongoing problem.