The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has ordered its members nationwide to inspect and verify their fuel dispensing meters immediately. This directive follows a stern warning from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) regarding potential under-dispensing of petroleum products at retail stations. 

National President Billy Gillis-Harry announced the directive on Wednesday during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief. He explained that the association convened an emergency National Executive Council meeting to address the regulator's concerns about pump accuracy. Following the meeting, an urgent directive was broadcast to all members across the country to check their equipment without delay.

Gillis-Harry noted that mechanical wear and tear over prolonged use can impact equipment performance, resulting in inaccuracies that could either short-change customers or unintentionally dispense more fuel than purchased. He shared a personal anecdote from his own business experience, where a faulty meter had previously caused financial loss by dispensing excess fuel. Reassuring motorists of the association's commitment to fair trade, he emphasized that members strive to ensure every customer receives the exact volume paid for, upholding a standard of one litre for one litre.

To enhance transparency and consumer confidence, the association shared several recommendations for motorists:

• Monitor the dispensing meter display closely during fueling.

• Request and keep receipts for every transaction.

• Familiarize oneself with the vehicle's fuel tank capacity and cross-reference it with the quantity pumped.

• Train station staff to actively invite customers to observe the meter during and after dispensing.

PETROAN collaborates closely with the NMDPRA and the Weights and Measures Division of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to ensure all dispensing equipment remains accurate and up to date. The association is treating the regulator's warning with utmost seriousness, actively engaging with members to inspect equipment and promptly correct any identified faults. Meanwhile, the NMDPRA has reiterated that filling stations found short-changing consumers will face severe sanctions, up to and including the revocation of their operating licenses.