NMDPRA Seals Two Ogun Filling Stations over Under-dispensing, Sharp Practices

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Abeokuta Field Office, on Monday sealed two filling stations — Mangarborn Energy and Mobil Filling Station — located in the Akute/Ajuwon area of Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State for under-dispensing fuel and engaging in other sharp practices in violation of the Petroleum Industry Act 2021.

The enforcement team, led by the Head of Distribution Systems, Storage and Retailing Infrastructure, Olufemi Adebowale, said the action underscored the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting consumers from exploitation and ensuring strict compliance with petroleum regulations.

Speaking during the enforcement exercise, Adebowale said the sealing of the filling stations became necessary due to repeated breaches of regulatory requirements by the affected operators.

He explained that records available to the authority showed that one of the stations had consistently violated regulatory requirements by under-dispensing petroleum products, illegally removing official seals placed on the facility and resuming operations without authorisation.

According to him, such actions violate the Petroleum Industry Act 2021 and undermine efforts to protect consumers from exploitation.

He said, “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.

“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.

“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.”

Adebowale disclosed that the authority had been monitoring the station’s activities since 2025, describing the violations as persistent despite several enforcement actions.

He revealed that one of the stations had been sealed no fewer than six times within the period but continued to remove the authority’s seals and ignore invitations extended by the regulator.

“From our records, this has been happening since last year. The station has also refused to honour our invitations. It has been sealed not less than six times, yet it keeps removing our seals and resuming operations,” he said.

On the sanctions awaiting the operators, Adebowale said the authority had served enforcement notices on the stations and that the facilities would remain shut until all stipulated conditions were met.

He added that the NMDPRA management would also consider suspending the operating licences of the affected stations, while warning other filling station operators against violating the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act.

“That is against the rules. They do not have any right to operate until we authorise them to do so. This is a clear deviation from regulatory compliance. According to the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), when this happens, we must carry out enforcement, and that is why we are here today.

“Beyond conducting this exercise, we are also using this opportunity to address the public through the media. As long as operators are doing the right thing, they have nothing to fear.

“However, for those going against compliance levels—whether through under-dispensing or direct violation of our seal—all necessary enforcement, penalties, and sanctions will be strictly applied against such offenders.

“A letter has been served, the station has been completely shut down, and they must meet all the conditions, including payment of the applicable penalties. We are also looking at suspending the operating licence, subject to management’s approval,” he said.

He warned that any further attempt to tamper with the authority’s seals or resume operations illegally would attract criminal prosecution.