The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, has charged lubricant dealers in Delta State to obtain valid operating licenses, as it shut down six retail outlets for operating without proper documentation.
The enforcement exercise, carried out in Warri and its environs, was aimed at sanitising the lubricant market and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
Speaking during the operation, the NMDPRA Zonal Coordinator for Delta and Edo States said the affected outlets were sealed for failure to renew their licenses and for engaging in sharp practices inimical to consumer safety.
He explained that the regulatory authority would not tolerate the sale of substandard and unregistered lubricants, noting that such products damage engines and pose safety risks to motorists.
The coordinator urged dealers and marketers to regularise their operations with the agency, warning that further defaulters would face stiffer sanctions, including prosecution.
He also advised consumers to patronise only licensed outlets and to demand evidence of product authenticity before purchase.
NMDPRA reaffirmed its commitment to protecting consumers and ensuring that only certified lubricants are sold in the Nigerian market.
