FG Warns Against Fuel Pump Tampering, Seeks More Investment in Midstream Sector

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has issued a stern warning to fuel station operators who engage in the illegal practice of altering fuel pumps to cheat customers.

The NMDPRA said it would impose severe penalties on any petrol station found to be dispensing fuel with tampered pumps, ranging from licence revocation to suspension or closure.

The NMDPRA Chief Executive, Farouk Ahmed, made this known on Friday in Abuja during an interactive session with commissioners of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).

He said that the NMDPRA had deployed some of its staff to conduct random checks on fuel stations across the country to detect and deter any fraudulent activity.

He explained that the NMDPRA used physical measurement methods to verify the accuracy of fuel pumps at some stations.

He said: “Sometimes, we do a physical measurement where we go to some stations and buy one litre and look at that environment to see whether that one litre is really one litre. Then we will know whether or not they have tampered with the pump.”

Ahmed also said that the NMDPRA was working closely with RMAFC to enhance revenue generation for the federation.

He said: “We have started the engagement, but this is just a formal collaboration on areas where we can improve revenue generation for the federation. There are two areas we have to look at, which are either to generate revenue or cut costs.”

He urged Nigerians to take advantage of the investment opportunities in the midstream sector of the petroleum industry, especially in gas production and distribution.

He said: “For example, if you want to build a gas plant, come to us; we will give you the guidelines and the policies, and you will come and invest. The area you want to invest in will determine the cost of investment; the investment opportunities are there.”

The RMAFC chairman, Mr Bello Shehu, said the purpose of engagement between both organisations was to strengthen their partnership and ensure accountability and transparency in the oil sector.

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