The Federal Government has issued a stern warning to oil marketers, threatening to revoke their licenses if they are found guilty of stockpiling Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as gasoline.
This warning comes amid a severe fuel scarcity affecting Abuja, Niger, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Oyo and several other states.
The scarcity, particularly pronounced in northern regions, has led to the closure of numerous gas stations due to insufficient fuel supplies.
In response, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has intensified its oversight of the fuel distribution sector.
During a recent inspection tour in Abuja, NMDPRA released a video clip featuring Ogbugo Ukoha, Executive Director of Distribution Systems, Storage, and Retailing Infrastructure.
In the clip, Ukoha emphasized the government’s zero-tolerance policy towards the hoarding of gasoline. He warned that any filling station found hoarding fuel or engaging in illicit sales practices would face immediate license revocation.
The regulator’s move aims to curb the ongoing fuel crisis and ensure equitable distribution across the affected states.
The NMDPRA’s intervention highlights the urgent need to address both the supply chain disruptions and the unethical practices contributing to the ongoing shortages.