NNPC Launches Probe into Fuel Sales Malpractice at Retail Stations

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has initiated an investigation into a reported incident where an attendant at one of its retail stations allegedly coerced customers into purchasing lubricants or engine oil before they could buy Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol. This development comes after a video clip circulated on social media, showing the attendant claiming the directive was from the NNPC Retail management.

In a statement released on Sunday by NNPC’s spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, the national oil company addressed the allegations: “The attention of NNPC Retail Limited has been drawn to a recent video clip making rounds on social media (X to be precise) concerning a fuel pump attendant in one of NNPC filling stations. In the said video, customers were coerced to purchase lubricants or engine oil as a prerequisite for purchasing or dispensing Premium Motor Spirit. Still, in the video, the attendant alleged that this was a directive from NNPC Retail management.”

NNPC Retail strongly refuted these claims, asserting that such practices do not align with the company’s customer service policies. The statement continued, “NNPC Retail wishes to state unequivocally that the allegation is entirely false and does not represent the company’s customer service charter. At all NNPC Retail filling stations, customers are not obligated to purchase lubricants, engine oil, or other products as a precursor to buying petrol.”

Huub Stokman, Managing Director of NNPC Retail Ltd, also weighed in on the matter, emphasizing the company’s commitment to transparency and customer satisfaction: “We are dedicated to providing clear, transparent, and quality service to all our customers, guaranteeing that their needs are met without any recourse to unnecessary and unscrupulous conditions.”

The NNPC has urged the public to disregard the misinformation and to report any such incidents to the relevant authorities. The company assured that appropriate disciplinary actions would be taken against those found culpable in this incident.

NNPC retail stations are a preferred choice for motorists due to their competitive pricing, with petrol sold at N617 per litre compared to the N660 to N710 per litre charged by other major and independent marketers in regions such as Abuja, Niger, and Nasarawa.

This investigation highlights NNPC’s ongoing efforts to maintain integrity and trust in its operations while ensuring fair and transparent service to its customers.