The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Association of Nigeria has directed its members nationwide to inspect their fuel dispensing meters following a warning from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority over alleged under-dispensing of petroleum products.

PETROAN National President, Billy Gillis-Harry, disclosed this on Wednesday during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief.

He said the association convened an emergency meeting of its National Executive Council on Tuesday after the regulator raised concerns about the accuracy of fuel dispensing at retail outlets.

He said the meeting lasted until about 10pm, after which members were directed to inspect their dispensing equipment.

“PETRON circulated a message around the country, calling our members to check their meters as quickly as possible,” Gillis-Harry said.

The PETROAN president said some members had already begun inspecting their equipment, noting that prolonged use could affect the performance of dispensing meters and result in either under-dispensing or dispensing more fuel than customers paid for.

“Equipment can be faulty over time because of usage,” he said.

Gillis-Harry also assured motorists that PETROAN members remained committed to ensuring that customers received the exact quantity of fuel they paid for.

“But I can tell you that PETRON members will, at all times, insist on making sure that they sell their products one litre for one litre,” he said.

He advised motorists to monitor the quantity displayed on dispensing meters when buying fuel and request receipts after each purchase.

He also urged consumers to know their vehicles’ fuel tank capacities and compare them with the quantities indicated on the dispensing meters.

“Oftentimes, we educate our staff to call the attention of the patron to check the meter while it is being dispensed. And also to get the customer to check after the product has been dispensed,” he said.

The NMDPRA had warned filling station operators against under-dispensing petroleum products, noting that outlets found short-changing consumers could face sanctions, including the withdrawal of their operating licences.

Gillis-Harry said PETROAN was taking the regulator’s warning seriously and had begun engaging its members to identify and rectify any faults with their dispensing equipment.