The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority has sealed two petroleum retail outlets and two gas plants over sharp practices in Delta.

The Delta coordinator of NMDPRA, Victor Ohwodiasa, disclosed this to journalists on Thursday.

Mr Ohwodiasa said that the erring stations were sealed by the surveillance team of the regulatory authority between Tuesday and Wednesday at the Asaba and Ibusa axis of the state.

He said that the offences bordered on under-dispensing, operating without valid licenses and other illegalities within the filling stations. The coordinator stressed that the authority would not tolerate a situation where people are shortchanged due to under-dispensing and other illegalities.

“In line with our mandates, we constantly visit petroleum retail outlets to ensure they sell one litre for one litre. Agreeably, there are bound to be variations due to mechanical errors in their machines, but these are subject to limits. When it exceeds, we shut down the facilities,” the official said.

Mr Ohwodiasa called on the petroleum marketers to ensure their metres were accurately calibrated and sold.

Mr Ohwodiasa urged the public to notify the regulatory authority whenever they notice any awkward transactions with the petroleum marketers for immediate action.

According to him, the awkward dealings included but were not limited to under-dispensing, product quality, suspected diversion, illegal bunkering activities, and illegal discharge of unauthorised petroleum products in unauthorised locations. 

(NAN)