Fuel Price Increase: Frustration, Anger As Petrol Stations Deploy Tactics To Cheat Nigerians

Amid skyrocketing petrol prices, filling stations across Nigeria are reportedly engaging in under-dispensing practices by tampering with pump meters, resulting in customers paying more for less fuel.

This manipulation, which has existed prior to recent price hikes, worsens the burden on Nigerians already struggling with elevated living costs.

The official petrol price now stands at N1,030 per liter, with independent marketers charging between N1,200 and N1,300, depending on the area.

Since October, the price of petrol has risen three times, significantly impacting the cost of living. Many Nigerians have shared stories of frustration, claiming filling stations outside the main towns are the worst offenders, adjusting pumps to dispense less fuel per transaction.

Checks by Sunday Vanguard showed that the crippling multiplier effects the price hike has on consumers have been worsened by the exploitation being experienced at filling stations.

Apart from NNPCL facilities, it was learnt that people do not have trust in other petrol stations as some are believed to have adjusted their metres to shortchange buyers. The situation has left unsuspecting customers with sad experiences, making some devise different measures to avoid being cheated.

It was discovered that petrol attendants, who carry out these actions do not usually act alone. In fact, their station managers, it was further gathered, aid and abet the practice, which is further impoverishing Nigerians, who largely depend on Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, as fuel is also known, for commercial and domestic needs.

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), responsible for overseeing fuel distribution, has acknowledged an uptick in consumer complaints regarding these practices.

While NMDPRA has pledged to enforce compliance and consumer protection, there is a perception among the public that enforcement lacks consistency.

Several consumers recounted their experiences with under-dispensing. Tayo Adedeji, a cab driver in Abuja, said that filling stations frequently shortchange customers by dispensing less fuel than they pay for.

Adedeji said: ”Many stations are doing it. They manipulate the pump and under-dispense to consumers. I have not experienced it here. It is a bit difficult (to know if NNPC manipulates pumps) because the high pump price means you are confused and don’t know what you should get.

“I come here to queue because it has the cheapest petrol in the two and because there are several pumps you are sure it will get to your turn no matter what happens.”

He urged government and “those in charge of ensuring that the measurements are accurate to leave up to their responsibility. Now that they said there are no more subsidies, at least they work to protect consumers from extortion and manipulation.”

Some drivers, like Uchenna Godwin in Lagos, noted that nearly every station they visit is involved in this manipulation, adding that only a few stations such as NNPC outlets still maintain trust.

In a chat with Sunday Vanguard in Lagos, another commercial driver, Uchenna Godwin, said: “Under-dispensing did not start today. It has been with us because some Nigerians are insincere. They always manipulate every process. That is what we are seeing. Almost all the petrol stations in Amuwo Odofin are under dispensing.

“They adjusted their metres in such a way that what they dispense does not reflect the money we pay. The stations that attract some elements of trust is NNPCL at Second Rainbow. Others are the same. We are just at their mercy. I do not know if there is a consensus that they should all adjust their metres because it is widespread.”

A victim of under-dispensing, Ose Okoror, said: “I almost fought one of the petrol attendants in my area when I discovered that after selling to a customer, he did not cancel the transaction before selling to me. I did not even know. My son was the one who brought it to my attention. Imagine buying a litre at the rate of N1,250 and ending up being cheated. At that rate, I should have bought 20 litres for N25,000, but they ended up selling 16 litres to me because they adjusted their pump.

“How can we continue like this as a people who want our leaders to change from their wicked ways? When my son brought it to my attention, I had to confront the fuel attendant. He was just rude to me and started insulting me, saying I was accusing him because of “common 20 litres” . In anger, I pushed him and almost landed him a punch but for bystanders who intervened. When the station manager came out and heard the story, he sternly questioned his staff who owned up.”

In response, many Nigerians have devised their own coping mechanisms. Some, like Busaya Akinreti, have resorted to buying petrol in jerry cans to verify the actual quantity.

Busaya Akinreti said: “I have now resorted to buying with jerry cans to ensure that what I get is what they paid for. I always have 25 and five litres gallons in my car. I wasn’t doing it before but since I discovered that it is difficult to under-dispense when you use kegs, I started using gallons. Whenever I get to a fuel station, I tell them I am buying in gallons.

“Sometimes, they refuse, claiming they don’t sell in gallons, but when I offer them money they give me what I want. And whenever I buy in gallons, it’s always accurate. So that is what I do now. It was a friend who suggested it to me, and it’s been working for me. I can’t afford to allow myself to be cheated anymore by these greedy petrol station owners.

“The owners of the facilities can’t claim ignorance of it. Without their authorization, it won’t happen. So the authorities should look into the matter. It’s not new, but allowing it to happen now that fuel is racing towards N1500 a litre will be a great injustice to Nigerians who are currently suffering from Tinubu’s bad policies.”

Others, such as Musa Ubandaji, prefer the black market over unreliable station meters, despite the higher prices.

NMDPRA has promised severe sanctions, including the closure of stations found guilty of these violations.

Head, Public Affairs, NMDPRA, George Ene-Ita, warned that any station found to have manipulated its pumps faces severe sanctions including having the outlet shut down.

Ene-Ita explained that “Monitoring of retail outlets is a routine activity for us across the states. While I cannot say this is done daily, I can confirm that our officials in the states carry this out as part of their work schedule.”

He disclosed that “any pump found to be under-dispensing is immediately sealed and penalties imposed. And when there is a consistent pattern of violations, a station can be shut down”.

However, consumer advocates argue that more proactive monitoring and quick responses are essential to address these issues. They urge the regulatory body to strengthen its oversight and allow consumers to report cases of under-dispensing.