Rip-Off: Nigerian consumers condemn under-dispensing, price hike by fuel marketers

*Experts disclose fuel consumers can detect under-dispensing by ‘monitoring’ to ensure the volumes they buy correspond to filling stations’ fuel gauge

*Report shady operators to us for appropriate sanction, says IPMAN

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

Concerned about criminal inaccuracy of metres used in selling the petroleum product, some consumers of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), otherwise  known as petrol, have raised alarm over the level of non-compliance of filling stations to dispensing standards in especially Awka, the state capital, and other parts of Anambra State.

Some motorists Thursday, August 11, 2022, in Awka,  said they were worried about the accuracy of metres used in selling petrol, agency report said.

The price of PMS per litre  ranges from N185 to N195, in Awka.

How to detect under-dispensing at filling stations

In regard to the ways under-dispensing can be detected at filling stations, Mr. Tony Ike, a petroleum engineer and expert in the sector, disclosed that consumers should look out for their gauge reading.

Ike disclosed another way to identify under-dispensing of fuel is to buy in jerry cans in metres to see if it corresponds with the calibrations.

The expert also stated: “It is only the regulator that has the instruments to measure the right gauges.

“But a customer can notice under-dispensing by monitoring to ensure that the volume they buy corresponds to their fuel gauge.

“They can also buy in gallons because some of them have calibration, but you can’t measure it by mileage because of possible faulty carburettor.”

Similarly, Mr. Martins Uche, a motorist said there were some filling stations that he would not patronise because they have been identified as among those under-dispensing.

Uche said such stations had devised means of short-changing their customers.

The motorist noted: “There are places I don’t buy petrol from, and these people are known for not pumping correctly, I can name some of them.

“Whatever agency or authority in charge should wake up, these filling stations should be monitored closely because we want to be getting the full value for our money.”

In his contribution, Mr. John Nwozor also said it was common knowledge that marketers short-change customers unchecked.

Nwozor stated what he normally does is to go to filling stations where commercial vehicles or tricycle operators patronise.

He remarked that he prefers to buy in places where commercial vehicle operators buy because they monitor their usage more.

“The authority in charge should wake up and ensure that what these people claim is what customers are getting,” Nwozor said.

Speaking to the issue, Mr. Chinedu Anyaso, Chairman of Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Enugu Depot, in charge of Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu states, in the South-East, condemned the practice of under-dispensing by  members of the Association.

Anyaso, however, said IPMAN had a taskforce on compliance as an internal mechanism to put those engaged in this practice to rectify their ways.

The IPMAN Chairman urged Nigerians to report shady operators to the association for appropriate sanction.