18th January, 2016
Abiodun Onafuye/ Abeokuta
Owners of most filling stations across Abeokuta, the capital city of Ogun state, have devised another way to extort unsuspecting motorists after the Federal Government reduced the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, popularly called petrol.
Findings by our correspondent around the town showed that most of the filling stations have adjusters the meters to the official rate of N86.50 per litre but have manipulated the meters to dispense the product for less than the meter reads.
Also, some filling stations are still selling above N86.50 official pump price. They are still selling between N100 – N120 in utter disregard for the Federal Government directive.
At most of the filling stations visited by P.M.NEWS, commuters were seen complaining of the reduction in the quantity of petrol sold to them at the given pump price.
It was discovered that when they buy fuel of 10 litres at the rate of N86.50, it turns out to be 7 litres when checked.
Some of those who spoke with our correspondent Monday morning called on officials of the Department of Petroleum Resources, DPR, to come to their aid by compelling the filling stations to do the right thing.
According to a consumer, “What most of these filling stations are doing is bad and against God’s will. How on earth would they be extorting people and be thinking that they are doing a good thing?
“When government ordered that the price should be reduced to N86.50, it took them weeks before they complied. In fact, it was after the DPR officials stormed the state and sealed off some filling stations that they complied.”
He added: “Now, the new thing they did is that they have tampered with their meters. The fuel they are selling is far less than the money collected from us. I bought 15 litres of fuel at a filling station at Sokori at the rate of N86.50, but surprisingly, when turned it into a jerry can, it was not up to 11 litres.
“This morning too, same thing happened. I bought fuel at Ayomide at Ijaye area at the same price and when we turned it into a can, it was not up to 10 litres. Which means many of them have adjusted their machines and are cheating us.
“I will be happy if officials of the DPR can come to the state,once again, and sincerely investigate this and sanction all those that are caught in such act. This is nothing but sabotage of government’s efforts.”
It seems officials of the DPR have to return to the state to look into this area, as findings have revealed that over 80% of the filling stations within Abeokuta metropolis are found guilty of this criminal act.
One of the officials of the DPR who spoke with our correspondent under anonymity, disclosed that they have received report about it from some people.
He revealed that the incident is not only applicable to filling stations in Abeokuta, but to many across the state, and hinted that the axe will soon fall on them.
According to the source, “most people are seeing them now, nobody feels like cautioning them. They thought we don’t know what they are doing. We are seeing them, we receive reports virtually every hour.
“When we storm the town and seal off their filling stations, your people will be saying it is politically motivated. We will soon get them. They are saboteurs, they don’t want this country to be better. But we will not allow them.”
The DPR official, however, commended TheNEWS and P.M.NEWS for their good reportage on its activities.
“I want to appreciate you and your organisation, in particular. Since the issue of fuel scarcity started late last year, we have been following your newspaper reports and that of others. Without being sentimental, you have been writing good report.
“You always seek our position on issues before reporting it. How I wish others emulate you and your organisation,” the source said.