Don’t manipulate meters, Enugu warns petrol dealers

The Enugu State Government on Friday warned that it would shut down petrol stations that are manipulating their meters to exploit motorists and other consumers of the product.

The state described as criminal the act of petroleum dealers in the state of exploiting consumers through deliberate manipulation of meters while dispensing fuel inaccurately, insisting that such sharp practices would no longer be allowed to thrive in the state.

While urging the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria to ensure that filling stations comply with accurate metering system, the government assured residents of its genuine concern for their plight in the hands of the exploiters.

The state Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr. Emeka Ajogwu, gave the warning during an unscheduled visit to some petrol stations in the Enugu metropolis to ascertain the alleged meter manipulation by filling station owners.

In all the stations visited, it was observed that none had an accurate metering system, including the major distributing stations.

Ajogwu, while addressing journalists shortly after the inspection, said that the government had been inundated with complaints from residents and motorists operating in the state that they were being shortchanged at petrol stations even with the high cost of the product, adding it informed the decision to visit stations for confirmation.

Ajogwu lamented the insensitivity of the dealers who under-supplied the product purchased by consumers, saying the days of such manipulation would soon come to an end as severe measures were being taken by the appropriate authorities against erring dealers.

He wondered why petrol station dealers would exploit buyers, adding that the sharp practice was “unacceptable”.

“Over 20 filing stations visited adjusted their metres and sold between N600 and N620 per litre. It was confirmed that for every 20 litres of petrol bought, consumers were shortchanged N768.60, N702, N682.00, N575 N441.60, N480, N256.2 respectively.”