Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has sealed 13 fuel stations for over-pricing and sanctioned three others for violating the government seal order in Akwa Ibom.

Joy Koro, the team lead (Distribution Systems Storage and Retailing Infrastructure) of NMDPRA, said this during a Friday monitoring and surveillance exercise in Uyo.

He said the stations were sealed for selling above the government-approved pump price to members of the public.

“We shut down 13 fuel stations that were selling far above the government regulated pump price while three other fuel stations will be sanctioned for violating government seal order,” Mr Koro explained.

Mr Koro added that the stations would remain sealed until further notice from the agency.

He warned marketers to desist from selling fuel above the government-approved pump price.

“The marketers were dispensing the petroleum products at prices higher than the government-approved pump price of N300 per litre and above. If you see any marketer selling above the regulated price, definitely that fuel station will be shut. Presently, there are enough petroleum products for marketers to lift to their stations,” Koro said.

The official called on the marketers to revert their pump price to government-regulated price in the state to avoid being sealed.

“The marketers know the government-approved pump price. If we carry out surveillance and see them selling at (the) regulated price, we will not seal the c” stated Mr Koro.

Filling stations in the state sell petrol between N300 and N320 per litre.

(NAN)