NMDPRA orders filling stations to recalibrate pumps, warns of licence revocation

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, has directed filling station operators nationwide to immediately inspect, calibrate and verify their dispensing equipment to ensure motorists receive the exact quantity of petrol they pay for.

 

The directive followed the regulator’s discovery of cases of under-dispensing at retail outlets, with the authority warning that persistent or serious violations could lead to the revocation of operating licences.

 

In an industry notice issued on Tuesday, the NMDPRA said under-dispensing was a serious breach of consumer trust and directed operators to take immediate corrective action where faults or inaccuracies were identified.

 

The authority warned that outlets found operating improperly calibrated equipment or deliberately compromising dispensing accuracy could face sanctions, “up to and including revocation of the outlet’s licence.”

 

The development has prompted petroleum marketers to intensify checks on their dispensing equipment and pump attendants.

 

The Publicity Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, Chinedu Ukadike, said the association had circulated the NMDPRA directive to its members nationwide.

 

Ukadike said product quality, price and quantity were crucial to attracting and retaining customers in the deregulated downstream petroleum market.

 

He said marketers were committed to ensuring customers were not short-changed, while acknowledging that sharp practices by individual pump attendants could not be completely ruled out.

 

“But sometimes you cannot rule out some sharp practices from some of our pump attendants, which is why we are trying to go nationwide now, to see how we can reorientate them, to be steadfast and truthful to customers,” he said.

 

Another IPMAN major dealer said the association had identified lapses involving some pump attendants and would intensify its orientation programmes to address the issue.

 

The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Association of Nigeria, PETROAN, has also directed its members to inspect their dispensing meters.

 

The association’s National President, Billy Gillis-Harry, said PETROAN convened an emergency meeting of its National Executive Council after receiving the NMDPRA directive.

 

He said members were subsequently instructed to check their equipment, noting that prolonged use could cause dispensing machines to develop faults.

 

“Equipment can be faulty over time because of usage,” Gillis-Harry said.

 

He assured motorists that PETROAN members would ensure customers received the quantity of fuel they paid for.

 

“But I can tell you that PETRON members will, at all times, insist on making sure that they sell their products one litre for one litre,” he said.

 

He also advised motorists to monitor the quantity displayed on the pump while fuel is being dispensed and request receipts after transactions.

 

The latest directive follows several enforcement operations by the regulator against filling stations accused of under-dispensing and other regulatory violations.

 

In February, the NMDPRA sealed 11 filling stations in Rivers State over alleged under-dispensing, faulty pumps and other infractions.

 

In July, two stations in the Akute/Ajuwon area of Ogun State were also sealed over alleged under-dispensing and other violations.

 

The regulator has warned that repeat offenders could face suspension or revocation of their licences, while criminal prosecution may apply where appropriate.

 

In August 2025, NNPC Retail also sanctioned employees at its Ikorodu, Lagos, station after an investigation confirmed an incident involving a pump attendant who allegedly attempted to short-change a customer.

 

The NMDPRA has directed industry associations, including IPMAN, PETROAN, the Major Energy Marketers Association of Nigeria, MEMAN, and the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria, DAPPMAN, to notify their members and support compliance.

 

The regulator said the enforcement was aimed at protecting consumers, promoting transparency and ensuring that motorists receive the quantity of petroleum products for which they pay.

 

“MEMAN, DAPPMAN, IPMAN and PETROAN are kindly requested to promptly notify their members of this directive and to support full compliance across the industry,” the NMDPRA stated.

 

The authority added that it remained committed to “protecting consumers, promoting transparency, and upholding the integrity of petroleum product transactions nationwide.”