PETROAN orders members to inspect fuel dispensing meters

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 by 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.

 

He said 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 filling stations.

 

According to him, the meeting lasted until about 10pm, after which members were directed to immediately check their dispensing equipment.

 

“PETRON 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 customers receiving less or more fuel than they 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 after a faulty meter dispensed more fuel than customers paid for.

 

Gillis-Harry assured motorists that PETROAN members were committed to ensuring accurate dispensing.

 

“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.

 

He advised motorists to monitor the quantity displayed on the dispensing meter when purchasing fuel and request receipts after transactions.

 

He also urged consumers to know their vehicles’ fuel capacities and compare them with the quantities displayed by dispensing pumps.

 

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 are functional and accurate.

 

The NMDPRA had warned filling station operators against under-dispensing petroleum products, saying outlets found short-changing consumers could face sanctions, including withdrawal of their operating licences.

 

Gillis-Harry said PETROAN was taking the warning seriously and had begun engaging its members to identify and rectify possible faults.

 

“But we took what the NMDPRA called our attention to yesterday very seriously. And we already started working on that,” he said.