Residents of Awka and other parts of Anambra have accused filling stations of under-dispensing fuel at the pump.

In separate interviews in Awka on Thursday, Motorists said they were worried about the accuracy of metres used by the stations in selling petrol.

Petrol price per litre in Awka ranges from N185 to N195.

On how under dispensing can be detected, Tony Ike, a petroleum engineer and expert in the sector, stated that customers should look out for their gauge reading.

Mr Ike said another way to detect under-dispensing was to buy fuel inside jerrycans in metres to see if it corresponded with the calibrations.

“It is only the regulator that has the instruments to measure the right gauges. But a customer can notice under-dispensing by monitoring to ensure that the volume they buy corresponds to their fuel gauge,” the engineer explained. “They can also buy in gallons because some of them have calibration, but you can’t measure it by mileage because of possible faulty carburettor.”

Martins Uche, a motorist, said there were filling stations he would not patronise because they under-dispense. He said such stations had devised means of shortchanging customers.

“There are places I don’t buy petrol from, and these people are known for not pumping correctly. I can name some of them,” Mr Uche stated. “Whatever agency or authority in charge should wake up. These filling stations should be monitored closely because we want to be getting the full value for our money.”

John Nwozor, another resident, said it was common knowledge that filling stations shortchange customers. 

Mr Nwozor said he avoided being shortchanged buying fuel in filling stations patronised by commercial drivers and riders. 

“The authority in charge should wake up and ensure that what these people claim is what customers are getting,” he said.

In a reaction to the under-dispensing allegations, Chinedu Anyaso, chairman of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Enugu depot, in charge of Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu, advised the public to report shady filling stations to the association.

Victor Orjiako, NMDPRA’s operations controller in Anambra, did not immediately return a request for comment on the issue.

(NAN)