IPMAN deploys task force to stop filling stations from shortchanging fuel buyers

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Enugu Depot, has set up a task force to ensure members comply with all approval processes and regulations.

IPMAN Enugu Depot disclosed this in a communiqué issued on Wednesday at the end of its emergency Annual General Meeting held with members of the Petroleum Dealers Association of Nigeria (PDAN) with representatives of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

The communiqué, signed by the zone’s Chairman, Chinedu Anyaso and the Secretary, Nnaemeka Iloafor, also called on members to ensure full compliance with under-dispensing and the meterage guideline.

IPMAN said the move was in line with the NMDPRA call on stakeholders to ensure retail outlet operators carry out immediate calibration and verification of all dispensers and totalizers to safeguard consumer interests.

The statement said the directive intends to guarantee accurate measurement and ensure consumers receive the full value of the product they paid for.

It said it would use internal mechanisms to ensure full compliance regarding established tolerance limits for measurement and license renewal among members.

The association reminded members that offenders for under-dispensing face a N250,000 penalty for the first instance while repeated defaulters risk sealing and outright revocation for three to six months.

IPMAN, however, appealed to NMDPRA to grant its members a moratorium to obtain their licenses if they have not yet done so.

“They will also work round the clock to ensure that its members do not surcharge the public in the course of sales.

“IPMAN and PEDAN assure NMDPRA of promoting and maintaining a cordial working relationship for the progress of the industry and to serve the public in the best possible way.

“Stations which fail to renew their licenses will be penalised and their facility sealed and those who also commenced renewal after the grace window of 90 days are subject to remit a late entry penalty of N100, 000.”

The communique warned marketers that tampering with the seal—by covering, removing or selling from the pump—is a grave offence that attracts a fine.

The body urged members to report cases of under-loading at the depot to the petroleum tanker drivers’ union rather than incur fines by tampering with the meterage guidelines.

It lamented increasing purchasing power, accidental loss, volatility of petroleum products and technical errors from dispensing pumps but urged members to ensure a tolerance limit of 10.3 for every 10 litres or 20.6 for 20 litres.

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“When stations are leased, the tenant is advised to write to NMDPRA in order to reach a fair negotiation with the landlord, as regards the renewal terms.

“Stations who abandon their renewal process, without uploading other requisite documents with the excuse that the tax clearance is not ready will be recorded as non-complaint and penalised,” it said.