Despite the hike in petrol prices beyond the reach of the average Nigerian, many filling stations engage in under-dispensing of petroleum products by manipulating their pumps, findings revealed.

The practice, which didn’t start in this dispensation, has increased the hardship faced by citizens, who currently pay through their nose for petrol for commercial and domestic purposes.

With under-dispensing, consumers get little at higher prices, thereby increasing the hardship being experienced across the country.

The current official retail price of petrol is N1, 030 per litre while independent marketers sell between N1,200 and N1,300, depending on location. From October to date, the rate at which the product is purchased has increased three times, thereby compounding the plight of the people.

Specifically, the price was increased on October 9, 2024, from N897 to N1,030. That was followed by the September 2, 2024, increase. The pump price was increased from N617 to N897, leading to more increase in prices of goods and services. The latest hike was announced on October 29, 2024.
Checks by Sunday Vanguard showed that the crippling multiplier effects the price hike has on consumers have been worsened by the exploitation being experienced at filling stations.

Apart from NNPCL facilities, it was learnt that people do not have trust in other petrol stations as some are believed to have adjusted their metres to shortchange buyers. The situation has left unsuspecting customers with sad experiences, making some devise different measures to avoid being cheated.

It was discovered that petrol attendants, who carry out these actions do not usually act alone. In fact, their station managers, it was further gathered, aid and abet the practice, which is further impoverishing Nigerians, who largely depend on Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, as fuel is also known, for commercial and domestic needs.

The situation has worsened because the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, the agency responsible for regulating the midstream and downstream petroleum operations, including technical, operational, and commercial activities, lacks presence at filling stations.

The agency had recently raised the alarm that there is a surge in complaints from consumers regarding dishonest practices among some fuel marketers, who are allegedly tampering with dispensing pumps to deliver less fuel than paid for. It consequently expressed commitment to ensuring transparency and consumer protection in the downstream petroleum sector.

Nonetheless, the practice is increasing rather than reducing, leading to outcry among consumers, who want the authorities to urgently intervene.

The under-dispensing, which undermines consumer trust and breaches operational standards, is a violation of the Petroleum Industry Act ,PIA.

But fuel marketers appear to care less about such violations following the inability of NMDPRA to act decisively.

In various chats with Sunday Vanguard, consumers narrated their ordeal, expressing frustration at what they called the failure of the authorities to address the situation, especially at a time when Nigerians are experiencing the worst economic crisis in decades.

©CDA News