BREAKING: FG Seals Two Filling Stations Over Fuel Under-Dispensing, Regulatory Violations

The Federal Government has shut down two filling stations in Ogun State over alleged fuel under-dispensing and other violations of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.

The affected outlets, identified as Mobil and Managarborn Energy, were sealed on Monday during an enforcement operation carried out by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) in the state.

The operation was conducted by officials from the NMDPRA’s Abeokuta Field Office as part of ongoing efforts to protect consumers from exploitation and ensure strict compliance with petroleum industry regulations.

Speaking during the exercise, the Head of Distribution Systems, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure at the Abeokuta Field Office, Olufemi Adebowale, said the enforcement action became necessary after the affected filling stations repeatedly violated regulatory requirements.

According to him, the authority had monitored the activities of the stations since 2025 and found evidence of persistent non-compliance.

“The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority is carrying out a lawful enforcement on this facility. Our records have consistently shown that this company has been violating regulatory compliance,” Adebowale said.

He accused the operators of short-changing customers by dispensing less fuel than consumers paid for, describing the practice as a direct violation of the law and an act of exploitation.

“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,” he stated.

Adebowale further alleged that one of the filling stations resumed operations after officials had previously sealed the premises, claiming that the operator unlawfully removed the regulatory seal without authorisation.

“When it comes to under-dispensing, they are cheating members of the public by not selling the correct quantity of fuel. Also, once a station is sealed, it has no authorisation to operate. But this station deliberately removed our seal and continued operations, which is against the law,” he added.

The enforcement comes at a time when motorists across Nigeria continue to grapple with high petrol prices.

In Abuja and surrounding areas, the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) currently ranges between ₦1,155 and ₦1,205 per litre, although prices vary across different states and retail outlets.

The Federal Government has consistently maintained that fuel prices should remain market-driven under the deregulated downstream petroleum sector, insisting that petrol pricing must reflect prevailing market conditions.

The NMDPRA reiterated its commitment to intensifying surveillance and enforcement across the country to ensure petroleum marketers comply with industry regulations and that consumers receive the correct quantity of fuel for every purchase.