The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has reported that eleven petroleum sites nationwide have been identified as selling non-compliant products.
According to EPRA, these sites were found to be distributing adulterated or export-designated motor fuels within the local market.
“Out of the tests conducted, 1,284 sites, representing 99.15 percent, were compliant. However, 11 sites, or 0.85 percent, were deemed non-compliant,” EPRA stated.
As a result of these findings, six stations were shut down for non-compliance, four were subjected to penalties, and one case is currently pending in court.
The agency highlighted that it performed a total of 5,970 tests from October to December 2024 across 1,295 petroleum sites.
Under Section 92 of the Petroleum Act 2019, EPRA is responsible for monitoring the petroleum products available for sale in the local market to prevent the adulteration of motor fuels and the dumping of fuels intended for export.
EPRA specified that two of the identified sites were selling non-compliant products.
The types of non-compliance included the sale of diesel with high sulfur content, diesel intended for export that was contaminated with domestic kerosene, Super Petrol mixed with kerosene, and Super Petrol designated for export.
The authority also mentioned that it operates a hotline (0709 366 000) during regular business hours to support enforcement and compliance efforts.
The public is encouraged to report any suspected cases of fuel adulteration or export dumping through the hotline, as well as via the Authority’s USSD code (*363#) and SMS service code (40850).
In September 2024, EPRA closed 14 petrol stations and imposed fines on three others for selling adulterated fuel.
The authority noted that these petrol stations were flagged during a three-month enforcement operation conducted from July to September 2024.
During this period, a total of 5,854 tests were carried out across 1,321 petroleum sites, with 1,304 sites, or 98.71 percent, identified for non-compliance.
In the timeframe from July to September 2024, a cumulative total of 5,854 tests were performed at 1,321 petroleum locations.
Out of these assessments, 1,304 sites, accounting for 98.71 percent, were identified as non-compliant.
Conversely, tests conducted at 17 sites, which represent 1.29 percent, were found to be non-compliant.
