Fuel marketers to face sanction over cheat pumps
From Uzoma Nzeagwu, Awka
DETERMINED to check fraudulent practices by petroleum products dealers, the Deputy Superintendent of Weights and Measures, under the Federal Ministry of Commerce, Mr. Joseph Adejunwo, said about 30 marketers in Anambra State would be penalised for adjusting their metric units and pumps.
Adejunwo frowned at such practices which he said, were perpetrated by dealers in Awka and Onitsha to short-change customers.
He warned that such culprits risk paying a N500,000 fine or withdrawal of their business certificate and sealing off of their petrol stations.
The weights and measures chief who spoke with journalists in Awka, the state capital on Monday, disclosed that he has visited over 50 petrol dealers in the areas mentioned.
He maintained that those found guilty would be punished in accordance with the law to ensure strict compliance with the Federal Government's regulation.
"In accordance with Chapter 467 of the Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1990, Section 16, the body has powers to enter business premises to investigate their activities and also have the authority to seal off such premises, if found guilty", he said.
According to him, some dealers in the state deliberately adjust their metres to defraud unsuspecting buyers by selling to them less than the quantity they paid for.
He advised members of the public to always be vigilant, adding that they must insist on buying on per litres rather than naira to ensure they buy the real quantity paid for.
He also cautioned petroleum products dealers to avoid the temptation of adjusting or tempering with the metric units and pumps just to extort money from the public, adding that those who engage in such acts would face the wrath of the law.
According to him, government will ensure that members of the public do not fall victims to oil dealers but see that the public gets the worth for their money.
"Our aim is to ensure that customers are not cheated by these marketers who are out to make fast money in the oil business. Oil dealers must obey the rules and regulations and keep to standard", Adejunwo said.
