Fuel Theft: NMDPRA Closes Stations, Penalizes Marketers For Illegal Activities
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has taken decisive action against fuel marketers involved in illegal fuel activities, sealing several filling stations and fining three marketers for allegedly receiving stolen fuel. This enforcement follows operations conducted by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in August 2024, which targeted smuggling and illicit fuel distribution.
According to an NCS report detailing the operations for August, the service intercepted seven petrol trucks, sealed 12 retail outlets, and seized 466,000 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) alongside 23 vehicles. These operations, under the intensified “Operation Whirlwind,” focused on combating the smuggling of petroleum products, especially in border states. Following the investigations, seven suspects were prosecuted, and the NMDPRA imposed fines on three marketers while transferring the sealed filling stations for further action.
In addition to the crackdown on fuel theft, the NCS made 83 significant seizures in August, including 3,083 bags of foreign rice, 170,000 liters of petrol, 1,014 parcels of cannabis sativa, 23 vehicles, and other contraband items. The total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of these seizures amounted to ₦975,066,791.65. The NCS has been working rigorously to suppress smuggling, especially of petroleum products and other high-value contraband.
On the revenue side, the NCS generated a total of ₦293.3 billion in August 2024 from import and excise duties. The breakdown reveals that ₦277.5 billion came from import duties, while excise duties contributed ₦15.8 billion. This revenue generation aligns with the service’s goal of maximizing government income through effective enforcement and customs regulations.
In summary, the Nigeria Customs Service and the NMDPRA’s enforcement actions in August 2024 highlight their commitment to curbing smuggling, maintaining regulatory compliance in the petroleum sector, and boosting government revenues.
