Three gas stations in the Eastern Province, Tabuk, and Jeddah were closed for violating regulations

As part of ongoing efforts to regulate the energy and petroleum services sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, inspection teams conducted an intensive field campaign that resulted in the closure of three fuel stations in various vital locations, including those within the jurisdictions of the Eastern Province Municipality, the Tabuk Region Municipality, and the Jeddah Governorate Municipality. This decisive action was taken under the direct supervision of the Permanent Executive Committee for Service Centers and Fuel Stations, and in full coordination with relevant government agencies.

Details of closures and observed violations

The regulatory reports indicated that the closures resulted from the detection of several serious violations of the regulations and laws in force in the Kingdom. Among the most prominent of these violations were the establishments' failure to comply with the approved technical and operational requirements for service centers, as well as instances of "refusal to sell petroleum products" to consumers, a clear violation that affects the security of supplies and harms consumer interests.

Context of developing the fuel station sector

These regulatory measures are part of a comprehensive national effort to transform the fuel station and service center sector, both on regional roads and within cities. The Permanent Executive Committee, comprised of representatives from several ministries and agencies, is working to ensure the application of the highest quality and safety standards. This sector has witnessed remarkable development in recent years thanks to comprehensive qualification programs implemented by the Ministry of Municipal and Rural Affairs and Housing and the Ministry of Energy, guaranteeing services befitting the Kingdom's stature and aligned with the goals of Vision 2030 to improve the urban landscape and quality of life.

The importance of oversight and its impact on the consumer

These monitoring campaigns are of paramount importance for several reasons, most notably:

• Ensuring security of supply: Refusal to sell or manipulation of quantities is a threat to the stability of fuel availability for vehicles.
• Consumer protection: The aim of the oversight is to protect citizens and residents from unfair business practices and to ensure that they receive a service for a fair cost.
• Public safety: Ensuring that stations comply with safety requirements reduces the risk of accidents and fires in these sensitive facilities.

Continuation of patrols and reporting mechanism

The relevant authorities confirmed that inspection teams are continuing their field operations and inspection tours throughout the year and will not hesitate to apply the prescribed penalties against violators. The teams are monitoring the availability of petroleum products and ensuring the continuity of sales at all licensed stations.

In closing, the Executive Committee called upon all consumers to participate in the oversight role and urged them to immediately report any observations or violations related to gas stations and service centers. Reports can be easily submitted by calling the unified number ( 8001244777 ) or by using the "Partner Service" application available for download on smart app stores (Apple and Android), thus reinforcing the principle of community partnership in improving services.