By Omobolanle Shosanya
No fewer than 134 filling stations have been shut by Nigeria Mainstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) in the last 35 days in Kano for selling fuel above regulatory price.
Aliyu Muhammad Sama, Kano Coordinator, NMDPRA office,who disclosed this to journalists after surveillance operation on Thursday,said similar led to the closure of 14 new stations.
Mr. Sama promised to apply punishment to curtail the activities of some marketers,saying: “in December last year alone, we sealed 120 filing station for flouting regulatory rules.”
He also said the agency has invalidated the transaction deal of 16 marketers to comply with rules.
He added: “For any station that refused to sell at regulatory price , we invalidate their transactions, and so far 16 have been invalidated which means they have lost bridging, and equalization fund. We have strict regulatory regime, that include Revocation of licence, payment 150,000 penalty per nozzle, and prosecution of offenders”.
Premium News reports that the stations that were found wanting, and sealed on Thursday were located within Kano metropolis.
They include, Azman filling station along Maiduguri road that were caught discharging to unsuspecting customers at at N300 per litre, Allah Na Nan Petrol station situated along Zaria road sold to motorists at N290 per litre, Red Star petrol station also of Zaria road were caught dispensing fuel at N295 per litre.
AY Maikifi located at Western Bypass sold to motorists at N300 per litre, SID Petrol located Zara road discharged to buyers at N295 per litre,Alaj Petroleum situated along Zaria road dispensed at N290 per litre at the time of NMDPRA operation, while Danlami Petroleum of zaria road were also cut discharging at N290 per litre.
Besides,three service station owned Audu Manager located Maiduguri road,Hotoro opposite Hadejia Jamare, and Maiduguri road by APC office were sealed for dischaging fuel at N300, N300 and N295 per litres respectively.
