The operators of fuel stations that modify petrol pumps will face sanctions, according to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
This was said by Mr. Farouk Ahmed, the Chief Executive of the NMDPRA, on Friday in Abuja during a discussion with commissioners of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).
Ahmed warned that gas stations detected pouring fuel from modified fuel pumps will suffer severe repercussions.
According to the severity of the offence, he stated that the consequences to be meted out include revocation of operating licences, suspension from operation, or shutdown.
He claims that the Federal Government and oil regulatory agencies are very concerned about the modification of fuel pumps by filling station operators.
“What we are doing right now is sending some of our people out to check some of the petrol stations directly on the spot.
You won’t know whether you’ve been duped until you take a measurement if you drive into a station and drive out.
“Occasionally, we perform a physical measurement in which we visit various stations, buy one litre, and then assess the surrounding area to determine whether that one litre is actually one litre.
“Then we’ll know if they tampered with the pump or not,” he continued.
The head of the NMDPRA declared that the organisation would keep working with the RMAFC to increase revenue for the federation.
“We’ve started working together, but this is merely a formal collaboration on areas where we can enhance the federation’s revenue generating.
He remarked, “There are two areas we have to look at, either to generate revenue or to cut costs.”
He encouraged people to make investments in the middle class.
“For instance, if you want to build a gas plant, come to us; we’ll give you the rules and the policies, and you’ll come and put money into it.
The cost of investing will depend on the sector you choose; there are investment opportunities, he added.
According to Mr. Bello Shehu, chairman of the RMAFC, the goal of the engagement was to make the relationship between the two groups stronger.
“We are here to learn more about what they do and what we as a commission can do to help them increase revenue creation for Nigeria, so please educate us on what you do.
“We are interested in what the authority does to enable us to monitor better and know the right questions to ask which will enable us to give appropriate information,” he stated.
