Mid-downstream Agency warns against product diversion in Anambra

The Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Agency (NMDPRA), formerly DPR, has warned marketers in Anambra not to engage in product diversion and hoarding of petroleum products.

Mr Victor Orjiakor, the Operations Controller of NMDPRA in Anambra made this known during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka on Thursday.

According to Orjiakor, there would be a sufficient supply of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) for the Christmas and New Year periods in the Anambra area if marketers discharge and distribute all their allocations in the state.

He noted that the regulatory agency is having a robust engagement with marketers in the state to ensure that product supply to the state remains regular.

“Going by the data available to us, we have enough supply in the State and if the trend is maintained, we won’t have issues with supply in Anambra.

“What we are saying is that nobody should divert or hoard products meant for area of control, we are monitoring movement of petroleum in the state; how they are coming in and how they are distributed,” he said.

The Operations Controller said the office is having regular surveillance across the state to make sure that product quality, pump measurement and price are normal.

He said NMDPRA would stop at nothing in ensuring that customers enjoy the full value of their money at all times by increasing surveillance operations in the 21 Local Government Areas of the state.

Orjiakor commended marketers in the state for their steadfastness in ensuring that they operate within the laid down rules of the industry regulator.

He also assured that interests of both the marketers and the public will be protected.

According to him, NMDPRA will continue to have robust and effective engagement with stakeholders, including the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, on keeping to the standard operating guidelines.

“Apart from being a regulator, we are also here to ensure that businesses and investment thrive, so we will continue to achieve that without compromising Standards,” he said.