The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) Enugu Depot has announced the deployment of a special task force to monitor petrol stations and prevent the practice of shortchanging fuel buyers.
The decision followed an emergency Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on Wednesday, which involved members of the Petroleum Dealers Association of Nigeria and representatives from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The task force is expected to conduct inspections at various retail outlets to ensure that dispensing pumps are accurate and that customers receive the exact volume of petrol for which they pay.
The move was detailed in a communiqué issued by the IPMAN Enugu Depot following the deliberations of the meeting.
The initiative aims to curb fraudulent activities at the pump, which have caused growing friction between marketers and consumers. Shortchanging, often involving the manipulation of dispensing meters to deliver less fuel than indicated on the display, has been a recurring concern in the downstream sector.
Ensuring retail compliance
The presence of the NMDPRA at the meeting indicates a coordinated approach between marketers and the government regulator to address consumer grievances and ensure industry standards are maintained. As the primary regulator of the midstream and downstream sectors, the NMDPRA is responsible for monitoring the quality and quantity of petroleum products sold to the public.
By deploying a dedicated task force, IPMAN intends to self-regulate and identify rogue dealers whose actions threaten the reputation of the association. This proactive measure is designed to restore public confidence in the reliability of filling stations within the Enugu region.
The Petroleum Dealers Association of Nigeria also expressed support for the intervention, noting that the dishonest practices of a few operators negatively impact the entire industry. The association emphasised that transparency is essential for maintaining stable relations with the motoring public.
The deployment of the task force coincides with broader efforts to stabilise the downstream petroleum sector. As fuel pricing undergoes various adjustments, the risk of predatory practices at the retail level remains a challenge for regulators and industry bodies.
The task force will work in conjunction with regulatory officials to identify stations using faulty or tampered equipment. Stations found to be in violation of standard dispensing protocols may face sanctions or recommended closures by the NMDPRA.
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