Amid surging petrol prices, filling stations across Nigeria have come under scrutiny for allegedly tampering with pump meters, leading customers to pay more while receiving less fuel.
This issue, long-standing but now exacerbated by recent price hikes, compounds the financial strain on Nigerians facing escalating living costs.
The official petrol price has reached N1,030 per liter, with independent marketers charging between N1,200 and N1,300 in some areas. Since October, petrol prices have increased three times, intensifying the already significant impact on the cost of living.
Many Nigerians have expressed frustration, especially with stations in rural or suburban areas, where pump tampering reportedly worsens. Sunday Vanguard’s investigation revealed that only NNPCL facilities seem to maintain trust, while other stations face accusations of adjusting their pumps to under-dispense fuel.
Petrol attendants, often aided by their station managers, are said to be responsible for these exploitative practices.
This situation continues to affect Nigerians, who rely on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) for both commercial and domestic purposes.
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), tasked with overseeing fuel distribution, has acknowledged a spike in complaints about under-dispensing and pledged stricter enforcement to protect consumers.
However, there is skepticism among the public regarding the consistency of this enforcement.
Several consumers shared personal stories of under-dispensing. Tayo Adedeji, a cab driver in Abuja, noted widespread pump manipulation, saying: “Many stations manipulate the pump, dispensing less fuel than customers pay for.
I prefer NNPC stations because they are more reliable.” He urged the government to ensure accuracy in measurements and provide protection against extortion.
In Lagos, Uchenna Godwin, another driver, commented that “under-dispensing has been ongoing for years, especially in areas like Amuwo Odofin,” where adjusted meters mean consumers pay more than the fuel they receive.
Others, like Ose Okoror, recounted incidents of dishonest transactions, leading to confrontations with station attendants.
Some Nigerians have developed coping strategies to avoid being shortchanged. Busaya Akinreti shared how he now purchases petrol using jerry cans to verify the actual quantity, noting: “It’s difficult to under-dispense when using jerry cans.
This method ensures I receive what I pay for.” He and others argue that station owners are likely aware of the issue, as pump adjustments would require their approval.
Alternatively, individuals like Musa Ubandaji prefer the black market, despite its higher prices, due to its reliability over suspected tampered meters in stations.
Responding to these claims, NMDPRA’s Head of Public Affairs, George Ene-Ita, warned that filling stations caught manipulating pumps face severe sanctions, including closure.
He assured that monitoring is routine across states, and any pumps found under-dispensing are immediately sealed, with penalties applied. Persistent violations, he stated, could result in station shutdowns.
Nevertheless, consumer advocates are calling for more proactive monitoring and quicker responses to reported issues.
They emphasize the need for NMDPRA to strengthen its oversight and establish accessible channels for consumers to report cases of under-dispensing.