The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has directed its members across the country to inspect their fuel dispensing meters following a warning from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) over alleged under-dispensing of petroleum products.
PETROAN National President, Billy Gillis-Harry, disclosed this on Wednesday while speaking 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 regulator raised concerns about the accuracy of fuel dispensing at retail outlets.
He said the meeting, which lasted until about 10 p.m., resulted in a directive to members to immediately inspect their dispensing equipment.
“PETROAN circulated a message around the country, calling our members to check their meters as quickly as possible,” Gillis-Harry said.
He explained that prolonged use could affect the performance of dispensing equipment, potentially resulting in either under-dispensing or dispensing more fuel than customers paid for.
“Equipment can be faulty over time because of usage,” he said, recalling that he had previously lost money in his own retail business when a faulty meter dispensed more fuel than customers were charged for.
Gillis-Harry assured motorists that PETROAN members remained committed to ensuring that customers receive the exact quantity of fuel they pay for.
“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 advised motorists to monitor the quantity displayed on dispensing meters while purchasing fuel and to request receipts after transactions.
He also encouraged consumers to familiarise themselves with their vehicles’ fuel tank capacities and compare them with the quantities indicated on fuel dispensers.
“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.
The PETROAN president said the association 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, properly maintained and accurate.
“PETROAN 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 up to date and accurate,” he said.
The NMDPRA had warned filling station operators against under-dispensing petroleum products, stating that outlets found short-changing consumers could face sanctions, including the withdrawal of their operating licences.
Gillis-Harry said PETROAN had taken the warning seriously and commenced engagement with its members to identify and correct any faults with their dispensing equipment.
“But we took what the NMDPRA called our attention to yesterday very seriously. And we already started working on that,” he said.
