Fuel scarcity: NMDPRA seals 14 filling stations for selling petrol at higher prices in Kano

From Mustapha Adamu, Kano

The Kano state office of Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has sealed 14 filling stations for selling Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petroleum at higher prices.

Addressing journalists shortly after surveillance operation in Kano on Thursday, state coordinator of NMDPRA, Aliyu Muhammad Sama said the the operation was part of daily regulatory function to ensure price regulation of the product.

According to him, even in December last year, the agency had sealed over 100 filling stations of independent marketers for selling petroleum above stipulated prices.

He said the sanction was imperative in view of the fact that major marketers are selling petroleum at N185 per litre while the independent marketers sell the product at N290, N295 and N30 per litre.

He said the affected marketers would pay the fine of N150,000 per pump while the filling stations would remain sealed until the owners agree to revert to stipulated prices.

According to Sama, although there is no official pump price of petroleum presently, the filling stations are selling the product above reasonable price of between N250 and N280 a litre.

“We have not yet prosecuted any affected marketers because prosecution is the last resort.

“We have just imposed a fine of N150,000 per pump on them. If they fail to pay the fine, we also impose transaction cabellation on them,” he said.

The Coordinator explained that transaction cancellation is one of the most painful punishment to erring marketers.

He said “if the transaction is cancelled, a marketers may not get his bridging fund of not per litre,”

Sama disclosed that “even in December, we have invalidated 16 transactions of erring marketers. We will not condone any action capable of inflicting hardship on innocent people.

“We will continue to raid filling stations that sell petroleum at exorbitant prices until they revert to affordable price,” Sama said.

Some of the sealed filling stations include Azman Oil, Red Star, A. Y. Maikifi, SID, Alaj and Danlami.

Others include 2 stations belonging to Audu Manager, Rimi Holdings, Rabash Oil, IDM Makole, Alhaji Ahmadu Ila & Sons and Haab, among others.

Peoples Daily reporter, who was among the journalists that cover the operation, observed that all the sealed filling stations were at the Kano metropolis.