Victor EzejaThe Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Retail Limited has debunked allegations that a pump attendant in one of its outlets coerced customers to purchase lubricants or engine oil as a prerequisite for buying Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol.
In a video that went viral, someone who claimed to be a customer in one of NNPC retail outlets claimed that a pump attendant coerced people to buy lubricants before they can get petrol. The attendant alleged that the directive was from NNPC Retail Management.
Reacting to the allegation, the NNPCL Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, in a statement on Sunday said it was false.
The national oil company said customers are not obligated to purchase lubricants or engine oil or other products as a precursor to buying petrol.
The statement said: “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.
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“In the said video, customers were coerced to purchase lubricants or engine oil as a prerequisite for purchasing or dispensing Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol. Still in the video, the attendant alleged that this was a directive from NNPC Retail Management.
“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 or engine oil or other products as a precursor to buying PMS (petrol).”
Speaking on the incident, Managing Director of NNPC Retail Ltd, Mr. Huub Stokman said the company’s customer service procedure does not place any condition such as buying something before other services can be rendered.
“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 conditionalities,” Stokman stated.
The company urged the public to disregard the information and report any such occurrences to the appropriate authority.
NNPC Retail Limited, however, said it has launched an investigation into the incident and assured that appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against the culprits.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
