The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has urged engine lubricant dealers in Delta to apply for operating licences. 

The NMDPRA coordinator in Delta State, Godwin Ikomi, made the call on Monday, shortly after a surveillance exercise conducted by his team in Warri South and Uvwie local government areas. 

No fewer than six retail outlets were shut in the exercise.

Mr Ikomi emphasised that the surveillance operation would be an ongoing exercise until the operators fully complied. 

The NMDPRA had earlier in the year held an interactive meeting with the lubricant retailers’ state executives in Warri, on the need to obtain operating licenses. 

The meeting culminated in the distribution of flyers on how to proceed with license registration.

The coordinator noted that appropriate licensing would enable the agency to track complaints from the producers’ end, to retailing, and to address the issues accordingly. 

“We carried out surveillance on lubricant retailing activities. Before now, we have shared fliers to people in various filling stations that sell lubricants and roadside outlets, notifying them to have their facilities licensed. 

“Unfortunately, after about six months, they have not been able to comply, hence we decided to carry out surveillance activities to confiscate and possibly prosecute those selling lubricants illegally. 

“The surveillance is an ongoing exercise until we achieve our aims. Our team were assaulted and resisted in the field by the retailers, but we are not relenting. 

“If you must sell lubricants, you must have the appropriate license; otherwise, you will not be allowed to sell the products. We all know what bad or fake lubricants can cause,” he said.

According to Mr Ikomi, the directive is meant to protect producers, distributors, and retailers, and to distinguish genuine lubricants from adulterated ones.

The NMDPRA coordinator noted that some had registered and expressed hope that ongoing surveillance would compel others to comply. 

Responding to questions on enlightenment, Mr Ikomi said the Authority held its first meeting with the association, distributed over 1000 fliers, and aired jingles on both radio, television and social media platforms to sensitise the operators. 

The state coordinator advised consumers to buy lubricants from licensed outlets to avoid falling victim to adulterated oil, stressing that products without manufacturers’ labels would not be tolerated. 

He also advised retailers to apply for their operating licenses if they must remain in the business of selling lubricants. 

(NAN)