The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has directed its members nationwide to urgently inspect their fuel dispensing meters following a warning by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) over under-dispensing of petroleum products.
PETROAN National President, Billy Gillis-Harry, disclosed the directive 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 inaccurate dispensing at retail outlets.
The meeting, according to him, lasted until about 10pm and resulted in an immediate directive to 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 explained that dispensing equipment could develop faults after prolonged use, potentially causing either under-dispensing or over-dispensing.
“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 said some PETROAN members had already commenced checks, adding that the association was taking the NMDPRA warning seriously and engaging its members to identify and correct any equipment faults.
The development followed an NMDPRA directive issued on Tuesday after the regulator said it had observed cases of under-dispensing at retail outlets nationwide.
The authority directed operators to immediately calibrate and verify their dispensers and totalisers to ensure motorists receive the full quantity of petroleum products for which they pay.
It also warned that persistent or serious violations could attract sanctions, including revocation of operating licences.
Gillis-Harry assured motorists that PETROAN members remained committed to accurate measurement of petroleum products.
“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 watch the quantity displayed on dispensing meters while buying fuel and to request receipts after completing transactions.
Consumers, he added, should also familiarise themselves with their vehicles’ fuel tank capacities and compare them with the quantity shown on the dispenser.
“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.
According to him, PETROAN works with the Weights and Measures Division of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and the NMDPRA to ensure that fuel dispensing equipment remains 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 said it had intensified inspection and enforcement activities nationwide and warned that outlets found under-dispensing, operating with improperly calibrated equipment or otherwise compromising dispensing accuracy would be required to take immediate corrective action.
The regulator also directed industry associations, including PETROAN, the Major Energies Marketers Association of Nigeria (MEMAN), the Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN) and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), to notify their members and support compliance.
Gillis-Harry said PETROAN would continue working with the relevant regulatory agencies to ensure motorists receive the quantity of fuel indicated on the pump.
