The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Association of Nigeria has directed its members nationwide to immediately inspect their fuel dispensing meters following concerns raised by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority over under-dispensing at filling stations.
PETROAN National President, Billy Gillis-Harry, disclosed this on Wednesday during an interview.
He said the association held an emergency meeting with its National Executive Council on Tuesday after the regulator raised the concern.
According to him, the meeting lasted until about 10 pm, after which PETROAN instructed members to inspect their equipment.
“PETRON circulated a message around the country, calling our members to check their meters as quickly as possible,” Gillis-Harry said.
He added that several members had already started checking their dispensing equipment.
Faulty meters can affect fuel quantity
Gillis-Harry said faulty dispensing meters could result in either under-dispensing or over-dispensing of petrol and other petroleum products.
“Equipment can be faulty over time because of usage,” he said, recalling that he had previously lost money in his own retail business after a faulty meter dispensed more fuel than customers paid for.
He assured motorists that PETROAN members would continue to ensure that customers received the quantity of fuel shown on the dispenser.
“But I can tell you that PETRON members will, at all times, insist on making sure that they sell their products one litre for one litre,” he said.
PETROAN advises motorists
The association also urged motorists to pay attention to the quantity displayed on dispensing meters when buying fuel.
Gillis-Harry advised customers to request receipts for their purchases and compare the quantity dispensed with the expected capacity of their vehicle’s fuel tank.
“Oftentimes, we educate our staff to call the attention of the patron to check the meter while it is being dispensed. And also to get the customer to check after the product has been dispensed,” he said.
He said PETROAN works with the Weights and Measures Division of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and the NMDPRA to ensure that dispensing meters remain functional and accurate.
“PETRON consistently works with the Weights and Measures Division of the Ministry of Trade and Investment, and also the NMDPRA. These are the two regulatory authorities that ensure that our meters are functional. And they are up to date and accurate,” he said.
NMDPRA warns filling stations
The NMDPRA has warned filling station operators against under-dispensing petroleum products.
The regulator said stations found to be short-changing consumers could face sanctions, including the revocation of their operating licences.
Gillis-Harry said PETROAN had taken the regulator’s concerns seriously and was working with its members to address any possible problems.
“But we took what the NMDPRA called our attention to yesterday very seriously. And we already started working on that,” he said.