By Onome Oghenetega
The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) has been charged to shutdown fuel stations selling adulterated petroleum products to consumers.
A businesswoman, Tracy Shalokpe, who was victim of bad fuel sales, made the call at the premises of FUTGA Filling Station, in Otokutu, Ughelli South council area of Delta state, where she allegedly bought adulterated petrol.
According to her, she had bought petrol worth N5,000 for her car, a Toyota Corolla LE and generator set from the station on Sunday, only for them to start malfunctioning.
Shalokpe said on taking her car to the mechanic, water was discovered in the fuel tank and a further check on the generator set confirmed that she had bought a bad product.
The lady who was aggravated seeing the fuel station still selling the product to other consumers in spite of her complaints told newsmen, ”l want the world to know and I want the DPR to come to our aid. This FUTGA filling station is selling fuel that is not good for people’s vehicle and generators. That’s what they’re doing.
“As you can see, they’re still selling fuel till now after been confirmed that the fuel is not good. They’re still selling the fuel for other people.
“So many of the vehicle parts were damaged. I’m not a mechanic, the mechanic can explain much better. The car is still faulty till now, they’ve not been able to fix it. But they’ve changed so many things inside the car.”
She explained that she noticed there was a problem when the vehicle started “jerking”.
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”I took my vehicle to the mechanic where it was checked and discovered that there was water inside the tank of my car. The fuel I turned in my generator is still the same thing, there was water inside my generator set.
”I came back to report the incident but the fuel attendant who sold the fuel to me asked me to wait for the manager whom he claimed was not around.
“At a time, the manager said that he was not the manager. So, I explained what happened to him. He said he was going to fix the car.
“But my issue here, right now is that he doesn’t want to fix my car for me and the car is badly damaged. This morning I called him to come and rectify the issue, he refused. He is still insisting that he doesn’t want to come and fix the car,” the victim stressed.
She also disclosed to have called some “task force” personnel, who found out that there was water in the station’s underground tank. This forced the manager to his knees, promising to settle the matter by ensuring the car is repaired.
However, the fuel attendant refused to give necessary information to newsmen, when addressed.
“My manager is not around. His assistance went to the bank. I don’t know the name of my manager. I don’t have my manager’s number. I don’t even have a phone,” the young man stated.
