The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has directed its members across the country to immediately inspect their fuel dispensing meters following concerns over the under-dispensing of petroleum products at filling stations.
PETROAN National President, Billy Gillis-Harry, disclosed this on Wednesday during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief.
According to him, the association convened an emergency meeting of its National Executive Council on Tuesday after the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) raised concerns about possible under-dispensing at retail outlets.
Gillis-Harry said PETROAN subsequently instructed its members nationwide to check their dispensing equipment as quickly as possible.
He explained that faulty dispensing meters can result in either customers receiving less fuel than they paid for or filling stations dispensing more fuel than the quantity purchased.
“Equipment can be faulty over time because of usage,” he said, noting that he had previously suffered losses in his own retail business when a faulty meter dispensed more fuel than customers paid for.
The PETROAN president assured motorists that members of the association would continue to ensure that customers receive the quantity of fuel indicated on the pump.
He also advised motorists to monitor the quantity displayed on dispensing meters while purchasing fuel and request receipts for their transactions.
Gillis-Harry further urged motorists to be familiar with their vehicle’s fuel tank capacity and compare it with the quantity shown on the dispenser after fuelling.
He said PETROAN works with the Weights and Measures Division of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and the NMDPRA to ensure that fuel dispensing meters remain functional and accurate.
The NMDPRA has warned filling station operators that outlets found under-dispensing petroleum products could face sanctions, including the possible revocation of their operating licences.
Gillis-Harry said PETROAN had taken the regulator’s concerns seriously and had already begun working with its members to identify and address possible faults with dispensing equipment.
The development comes as motorists are being urged to pay closer attention to fuel quantities displayed on dispensing pumps when purchasing petrol.
Source: Channels Television
