The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) on Wednesday, September 23, directed its members nationwide to check their fuel dispensing meters following a warning from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) over under-dispensing of petroleum products.
PETROAN national president, Billy Gillis-Harry, disclosed this on wednesday.
He said the association convened an emergency meeting of its National Executive Council on Tuesday, September 22, after the NMDPRA raised concerns about the accuracy of fuel dispensing at retail outlets.
According to him, the meeting lasted until about 10pm, after which members were directed to check their dispensing equipment.
Gillis-Harry said some members had already commenced checks, noting that prolonged use could affect the performance of dispensing equipment and lead to either under-dispensing or dispensing more fuel than customers paid for.
He explained that equipment could become faulty over time due to usage, recalling that he had previously lost money 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 remained committed to ensuring that customers received the quantity of fuel they paid for.
He advised motorists to monitor the quantity displayed on dispensing meters whenever they buy fuel and request receipts after making purchases.
Gillis-Harry also urged consumers to familiarise themselves with their vehicles’ fuel tank capacities and compare them with the quantity indicated by the dispenser.
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 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 was treating the regulator’s warning seriously and had commenced engagement with its members to identify and correct any faults.
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