THE SECRETS OF GAS STATIONS UNVEILED (FINAL PART)

Many parents have beaten up their children on the grounds of dishonesty, many have tagged their children various negative names, many have disbelieved the words that come out of their own child’s mouth that they gave birth to because of the act perpetuated by the filling stations management and attendant.

“I ask you to buy NGN500 worth of fuel, what did you buy? This quantity is not up to the amount I sent you.” A certain parent scolded.

“It is sir. That was what I was given at the filling station” the young child replied.

But really, is it?

This unholy practice has become part and parcel of some filling stations in the Nigeria today. Masses are fully aware that they will be cheated whenever they go to buy any oil product whether with their cars or gallon.

Which one is actually better?

Another thing that seem intriguing is the management falling back to justify their act with soothing words such as

‘The pump attendants are not supposed to collect any money from the customers, but you know that it is illegal to sell petrol into a gallon’

In a situation where a car runs out of gas on the high way, how does he refill his tank if the filling station is just 100 meters away?

My generator uses fuel, do I carry my generator to the filling station?

I have a new model Honda Accord car which only allows petrol in and it cannot get out?

What could be the possible answer to all these questions?

If filling stations are not allowed to sell petrol into gallons then there should be a boldly written billboard to that effect.

‘NO GALLONS ALLOWED’ or

‘WE DON’T SELL TO GALLONS’ or better still

‘WE SELL TO CARS ONLY’.

Many more understandable signs should be displayed at every filling station in Nigeria.

Since that order wasn’t obeyed and compromise slipped in just as the devil tempted eve, then there should also be another inscription boldly written, such as:

‘NGN15-20 PER GALOON’ or

‘SURCHARGED GALLON FEE NGN20’ or perhaps

‘CAR IS FREE, BUT GALLON NGN20’.

Any caption used that better explains to the masses that they must pay for using a gallon to purchase petrol would be adequately necessary.

Critical measures ought to be put in place as PMS has become a case of food - an everyday need. There is no need to cheat the people knowing that they come every day. The people now budget their hard earned money for ‘you’ (gas stations) every day in order to achieve comfort. Be reasonable.

All the filling stations across the country that indulge in the loathsome act of extortion should desist from such act. We need to do the right thing at all times.

How long will you keep on bullying the masses? You have bullied us enough.

Enough is enough!

Article written by Okechukwu Uchechukwu Daniel