The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has issued a new mandate to fuel stations nationwide, instructing them to discontinue the sale of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, in jerrycans.
This directive is part of efforts to manage the ongoing petrol scarcity, which has resulted in long queues at the limited number of stations still dispensing fuel across major cities.
In a video shared on X (formerly known as Twitter) on Thursday, NMDPRA officials were observed advising the management of a fuel station to immediately halt the practice of selling fuel in jerrycans, highlighting the potential safety hazards associated with it.
During the field inspection, one of the NMDPRA officials was seen in the video sternly warning that non-compliance could lead to the revocation of the station’s retail licence.
“You must take this seriously—no more selling in jerrycans, or we will revoke your licence,” the official cautioned in the video.
Amid the fuel scarcity and escalating prices that have followed the removal of the fuel subsidy by President Bola Tinubu, this latest directive has sparked a wave of criticism.
Many Nigerians, particularly those dependent on petrol to power generators due to an unreliable electricity supply, have expressed concern that the move will disproportionately impact the poor.
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