The Nigeria Mainstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, on Thursday in Kano, confirmed it had sealed not less than 134 filling stations for selling petroleum products above the regulatory price within the last 35 days.

The Kano Coordinator of NMDPRA, Aliyu Sama, disclosed that a surveillance operation also led to the closure of 14 new stations.

He threatened to sanction the activities of some marketers in a bid to curtail the unwholesome practice. He said, “In December last year alone, the regulatory authority sealed off 120 filing stations for flouting regulatory rules.”

According to the coordinator, the regulatory agency has already invalidated the transaction deal of 16 marketers toward enforcing the sale of petroleum products.

at the stipulated price.

Sama stated, “For any station that refused to sell at the regulatory price, we invalidate their transactions, and so far, 16 have been invalidated, which means they have lost bridging and equalisation funds.

“We have a strict regulatory regime, which includes, the revocation of license, payment of N150, 000 penalty per nozzle, and prosecution of offenders.”

The list of the sealed erring gas stations includes Azman filling station located on Maiduguri Road, which was caught dispensing fuel to customers at N300 per litre; Allah Na Nan Petrol station, situated along Zaria road, for selling fuel at N290 per litre; Red Star petrol station, also on Zaria road, for dispensing fuel at N295 per litre.

Others are AY Maikifi, SID Petrol, Alaj Petroleum, Danlami Petroleum, IDM Makole Petroleum Mariri, Alhaji Ahmadu Ila Petroleum Mariri, HAAB Investment.

Similarly, three gas stations, belonging to Audu Manager, located on Maiduguri Road, Hotoro opposite Hadejia Jamare, and Maiduguri Road by APC office were also sealed.