The Director, Weights and Measures Department, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Abubakar Galadima sealed Shema filling Station and a cement depot in Abuja over shortchanging consumers the Nigerian government.
Galadima who lead a team of the department on a surveillance activity to food stores, cement depot and filling stations in Abuja stated that the exercise aimed at generating revenue and ensure that Nigerians are not cheated.
According to Galadima, Shema filling station was sealed because of their inability to produce their letter of certification and over charging of motorists.
“Generally, all the filling stations that we visited are good except this particular station, and I have directed that this place should be sealed.
He added that the cement factory was sealed due to re-bagging of 50kg cement and reduced to 44kg.
Galadima assured that both companies will be shut for the next 28 days until they comply with their terms.
“This place will be shut for 28 days, we have a tolerant level, it is above or below five points we seal the station, if they are ready to comply, and conform with our directives then they will be unseal but if they refuse to do this, it will remain close for a month after which we take them to court for prosecution.”
Meanwhile, Galadima stated that because of the ongoing exercise which will be done in the six geopolitical zones of the country, majority of the filling stations will now adjust their pumps to make sure they stay within the accepted level and which will in turn give more revenue for the government.
“We are not going to allow a situation where consumers will be shortchanged, so if we find anything going contrary to our justification, we are not going to allow it”.
“They are shortchanging Nigerians by over charging motorists and that is not allowed by our act, that is why we are sealing this place and until they respond adequately, we are not going to unseal it.”
He however assured that the department will visit all filling stations to ensure compliance and consumers have value for their money.
“We are going to all filling stations within our powers to make sure that they pay their dues, we have a responsibility to ensure compliance, Nigerians can not shortchanged but have value for their money.”