During a monitoring and surveillance exercise on Wednesday, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority shut down two filling stations and a gas plant in Sagamu.
The filling stations were sealed for under-dispensing and shortchanging customers, while the gas plant was shut down for being located in a densely populated residential area, violating safety regulations.
Speaking during the enforcement exercise, the Ogun State Coordinator of NMDPRA, Akinyemi Atilola, told journalists that residents of Awosanya, Sabo, Sagamu, had alerted the agency to the risks posed by the gas facility in their neighbourhood.
Atilola said, “We received a petition in January from members of the Awosanya community in Sagamu, and I immediately assigned some of my team members to inspect the site. The facility was sealed off.
“We are here again today to issue a warning that NMDPRA will not stand by while individuals construct gas plants without adhering to safety regulations.
“Yes, the present administration is promoting the use of gas, but public safety remains our top priority. Business owners must prioritise safety and conduct their operations responsibly.
“For instance, if a gas explosion were to occur here, the impact could travel up to 2km, causing massive damage. We cannot allow that to happen, which is why we are taking these proactive measures to halt work on this facility and evacuate the oil and gas materials on site.”
Atilola added that the surveillance team was also inspecting filling stations to ensure they were dispensing the correct quantity of fuel and that customers were receiving value for their money.
He said the agency had received complaints from the public about being shortchanged at fuel stations.
“We are here to ensure people get what they pay for. You cannot be buying fuel at ₦959 or ₦980 per litre and still be short-changed—that would be detrimental to our economy.
“Any filling station found guilty will be sealed and fined in line with regulations. Our ultimate goal is to enforce compliance. We urge filling station owners to operate according to the laid-down rules.
“My advice to the public is to report any such violations to us, and we will take immediate action,” he added.
