AFG nabs NNPC mega station operator, marketers over cheating

THE Weights and Measures Department of the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment has sealed off dispensing pumps of M. Major Oil and Gas, Mborra, Shafa petrol station at Gundu district and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Mega station, Gwarinpa, for underdispensing petroleum products to customers.

This was discovered during the inspection of petrol stations by the Weights and Measures Department, led by its Director, Alhaji Bashir Zoro, in Abuja.

During the inspection at the AYM, Shafa petrol station at Gundu district, it was discovered that the dispensing pumps at the station short-changed 0.8 litres for every 20 litres of PMS (19.2 as 20 litres) and on diesel, 0.95 litres less for every 20 litres (19.05 as 20 litres). At the M. Major Oil and Gas, Mborra, products were sold at 1.6 litres for every 20 litres (18.4 as 20 litres).

At the NNPC mega station, Gwarinpa, the officials of the station refused to switch on their dispensing pumps on the excuses of power supply and faulty generators, and when the waiting game continued for a while, the director order the sealing off of the dispensing pumps at the station.

Director, Weights and Measures, Alhaji Bashir Zoro, while addressing journalists at the NNPC mega station, said it was extremely disappointing that motorists were being short-changed at the petrol stations, and that the department would continue to inspect occasionally in order to establish and maintain conformity with standards.