The Federal Government, via the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), has issued a stern warning to retailers of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, amid ongoing shortages in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, and the surrounding states of Nasarawa and Niger.

This advisory was communicated through a statement posted on NMDPRA’s official X account.

The regulatory body has called on fuel retail stations to cease transactions with individuals involved in the illicit sale of petrol, including those dealing in fuel stored in jerrycans.

The NMDPRA has made it clear that filling stations found engaging with illegal traders will face severe penalties, including the potential suspension of their retail licenses. This action is part of a broader crackdown aimed at curbing the unauthorized distribution of petroleum products.

The warning comes as fuel scarcity continues to plague the nation’s capital. Most filling stations in Abuja have halted fuel distribution, leaving only a few operational.

For example, along the Kubwa Expressway, only outlets operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) were dispensing fuel on Friday, causing significant queues at these locations.

Earlier, two weeks ago, NNPCL spokesperson Olufemi Soneye attributed the shortage to disruptions in the unloading processes of several vessels. Despite this explanation, fuel scarcity persists as a recurring issue with no lasting resolution in sight.

In light of these ongoing challenges, Billy Gillis-Harry, President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association (PETROAN), recently advocated for the establishment of a dedicated task force to address the persistent fuel shortages in Nigeria.