IPMAN Enugu Sets Up Task Force to Curb Fuel Under-Dispensing
A task force has been constituted by the Enugu Depot of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) to monitor and enforce adherence to all regulatory and approval requirements among its members.
The decision was contained in a communiqué released on Wednesday, at the conclusion of an emergency Annual General Meeting. The meeting brought together IPMAN members, the Petroleum Dealers Association of Nigeria (PDAN), and representatives from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The communiqué was signed by the zone's Chairman, Chinedu Anyaso, and Secretary, Nnaemeka Iloafor. It also directed members to fully comply with under-dispensing rules and the meterage guideline.
According to IPMAN, the step aligns with NMDPRA's directive to stakeholders for immediate calibration and verification of all dispensers and totalizers at retail outlets, with the aim of protecting consumers. The measure is intended to ensure accurate measurement so that buyers get the full value of what they pay for.
The association said it would deploy internal mechanisms to secure full compliance with set tolerance limits for measurement and license renewal among its members.
It reminded members that those found under-dispensing face a N250,000 fine for a first offence, while repeat offenders could have their stations sealed and their licences revoked for three to six months.
IPMAN also appealed to NMDPRA to consider granting a moratorium to members who are yet to obtain their licenses.
“They will also work round the clock to ensure that its members do not surcharge the public in the course of sales,” the communiqué said, adding that “IPMAN and PEDAN assure NMDPRA of promoting and maintaining a cordial working relationship for the progress of the industry and to serve the public in the best possible way.”
Stations that do not renew their licences will be penalised and their facilities sealed, while those who start the renewal process after the 90-day grace period will pay a late entry penalty of N100,000.
The communiqué cautioned marketers that interfering with the seal—whether by covering it, removing it, or selling from the pump—is a serious offence that carries a fine.
It advised members to report cases of under-loading at the depot to the petroleum tanker drivers' union, rather than tampering with meterage guidelines and risking fines.
The association acknowledged difficulties such as rising purchasing power, accidental loss, volatility of petroleum products, and technical errors from dispensing pumps, but still urged members to maintain a tolerance limit of 10.3 for every 10 litres or 20.6 for 20 litres.
On leased stations, the communiqué advised tenants to write to NMDPRA to negotiate fair renewal terms with landlords.
It further stated that stations that abandon the renewal process without uploading other required documents, using the excuse that tax clearance is not ready, will be marked as non-compliant and penalised.
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