Fresh Investigations have revealed that many filling stations around Lagos metropolis deliberately use under-dispensing fuel pumps that do not record accurate sales information in order to shortchange unsuspecting motorists.
Based on the foregoing, some motorists in a chat with our correspondent have protested what they called sharp practices by attendants at filling stations, even as the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) said it had received complaints from many motorists.
Fresh Investigations have revealed that many filling stations around Lagos metropolis deliberately use under-dispensing fuel pumps that do not record accurate sales information in order to shortchange unsuspecting motorists.
Based on the foregoing, some motorists in a chat with our correspondent have protested what they called sharp practices by attendants at filling stations, even as the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) said it had received complaints from many motorists.
Shipping Position Daily learnt that many of the fuel pumps do not present accurate readings, making it easier for petrol stations to short change their customers.
A visit to some petrol stations at Ikotun, Ikeja, Oshodi, Apapa and Cele-Ijesha in the Lagos metropolis further confirmed this assertion.
It was further gathered that the distortions of the readings of the meters were mostly done by petrol attendants, albeit with instructions from their managers.
A petrol station manager, who does not want his name in print, said that the issue is disturbing because customers have lost confidence in the filling stations that commit such crimes. The source said the perpetrators operate like a chain, adding that many people were involved in the issue.
“From my experience in the industry, I know that a lot of workers were used to short-change customers. There is a top-down approach to the issue. Senior and junior members of staff in the petrol stations are involved in the crime. It is wrong to conclude that only the junior workers short-change customers. No petrol attendant has the courage to open meters and adjust them without the express permission of his or her manager. People who perpetrate such evils make a lot of money. Many petrol attendants have two cars or more. The question is: Where did they get the money to buy those cars?” The source asked how many attendants earn N20, 000 monthly. The older ones do not collect more than N13, 000 per month, he said.
A lawyer, Ponle Olurotimi, said many people have fallen victims to this sharp practice at fuel stations. Olurotimi said she has been inundated with reports of people that were duped by filling stations. I have heard motorists, housewives, and other users of petroleum products complain about the issue, she said.
She said: “The issue of short-changing customers cuts across the three petroleum products namely diesel, kerosene and petrol. The transporters, women and other household users of petroleum products have been cheated in the past. For instance, many have said that they got 15 liters of petrol, instead of 20 liters they paid for.”
An Executive Director, African Centre for Media and Information Literacy; Lewis Asubiojo, said some petrol stations are fond of under-dispensing products to customers. Asubiojo said he has once reported a petrol attendant to his station manager for not dispensing the right volume to him.
He said: “I have been short-changed by filling stations owned by independent oil marketing companies. Many of my friends said they do not want to fall victims again, and have resorted to buying fuels from petrol stations that belong to major marketers and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to ensure accurate volume delivery. The NNPC and major marketers have something at stake. They invest billions of naira into the business and would not do anything that will tarnish their reputations.”
Meanwhile, the Director, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), George Osahon, has said that the agency will move against any petrol station found short-changing its customer. Osahon said the DPR has received complaints on the issue via short messages and e-mails. He said that DPR is ready to act on useful information that can lead to discovery of filling stations engaging in such practices.
“DPR has received several complaints on the issue of retail outlets under-dispensing products to their customers. Just as it is not possible for the police to be everywhere at the same time, so it is with officials of DPR. We have told the public to come out with information on any station short-changing its customers for necessary action,” he added.
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