Harrison EDEH

THE Petroleum Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) said it’s working with petroleum regulatory authorities in the country to stop any short-changing of consumers at its over 9000 filling stations nationwide.

This stance follows the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) directive on anti-competition and other reported cases of under-dispensing of petroleum products nationwide.

Accordingly,PETROAN said it has mandated its members to immediately inspect, calibrate and verify dispensing pumps at their retail outlets.

A circular signed by PETROAN national president, Billy Gillis-Harry, and the National Secretary, Adedibu Aderibigbe, said the Association was acting on an industry circular from NMDPRA, which described under-dispensing as a breach of consumer trust that will not be tolerated.

The circular added that all petroleum retail outlet operators are required to carry out immediate calibration and verification of their dispensing equipment to ensure accurate measurement and guarantee that consumers receive full value for the products they purchase.

According to PETROAN, NMDPRA has intensified inspection and enforcement activities across the country, saying outlets found under-dispensing, using improperly calibrated equipment, or otherwise compromising dispensing accuracy would be required to take immediate corrective action.

While warning that persistent or serious violations could attract sanctions, including revocation of operating licenses, PETROAN urged its members to conduct immediate inspection and calibration of equipment, maintain accurate records of calibration and maintenance activities, cooperate fully with regulatory inspection teams, and uphold transparency and consumer protection standards across their operations.

“Your prompt action and full compliance with this directive are highly appreciated as this require utmost seriousness from members,” the circular read in part.