Association asks members to inspect dispensing equipment as NMDPRA threatens sanctions against erring filling stations
The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has directed its members nationwide to immediately inspect their dispensing meters following concerns raised by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) over the under-dispensing of petroleum products.
PETROAN National President, Billy Gillis-Harry, disclosed this on Wednesday during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief.
He said the association held an emergency meeting with its National Executive Council on Tuesday after receiving the NMDPRA’s concerns, with the meeting lasting until about 10pm.
Gillis-Harry said PETROAN subsequently circulated a directive to members across the country to check their meters as quickly as possible.
“PETROAN circulated a message around the country, calling our members to check their meters as quickly as possible,” he said.
According to him, several filling station operators had already started inspecting their equipment, noting that faulty meters could result in either under-dispensing or over-dispensing of fuel.
“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.
Gillis-Harry assured motorists that PETROAN members would continue to ensure that customers receive the quantity of fuel indicated on dispensing pumps.
“But I can tell you that PETROAN members will, at all times, insist on making sure that they sell their products one litre for one litre,” he said.
He also advised motorists to monitor the quantity displayed on dispensing meters while purchasing fuel and request receipts for their transactions.
The PETROAN president urged consumers to know the capacity of their vehicle fuel tanks and pay attention to the quantity displayed on the dispenser during each purchase.
He said filling station workers were also being encouraged to draw customers’ attention to the meter before and after dispensing.
“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.
Gillis-Harry 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.
The development follows a warning by the NMDPRA to filling station operators against under-dispensing petroleum products. The regulator said outlets found short-changing consumers could face sanctions, including the revocation of their operating licences.
Gillis-Harry said the association had taken the regulator’s concerns seriously and had commenced efforts to address any possible faults among its members.
“But we took what the NMDPRA called our attention to yesterday very seriously. And we already started working on that,” he said.