NP has responded to certain claims made by President of the Owner Dealers Association, Reval Chattergoon, during a recent news interview.
Mr Chattergoon reportedly claimed that trucks were “stealing product from service station dealers” following a viral video showing what appeared to be the illegal removal of fuel from a contracted Road Tank Wagon.
NP has issued a statement tackling specific claims:
Statement 1:“when the invoice is billed to the station, whether or not you get that gas you have to pay for it”
Response 1:NP has a standard operating procedure, which mandates that even before the discharge commences, the stations are required to check (i) that the compartment/s are sealed to confirm that there was no in transit interference and (ii) the quantity in the compartment matches the invoice which is confirmed by the Dealer or his representative, using a dip rod. Annual training is conducted with all dealers to ensure the process is understood and followed. Consequently, If the Dealer suspects that the volume in the compartment is short, he/she is not obligated to proceed with the discharge process and can report same to NP. As such, the Dealer is incorporated in the discharge/release process, to safeguard or minimize any occurrence of possible receipt of ‘short fuel’ by the Dealer.
Statement 2: “RTWs are not calibrated by the Bureau of Standards but by NP”
Response 2: All RTWs registered with NP are required to undergo tank calibration every five years. The equipment used for calibration of the RTWs is certified by Trinidad and Tobago Bureau of Standards.
NP says it conducts annual RTW inspections, adding that any unit failing to meet the required standards would not permitted to transport fuel from or on behalf of NP until the issues are rectified.
With specific regard to the viral video, it says the RTW contractors involved do not transport fuel for NP exclusively, but provide this service to other companies in the industry.
It says, “Independent haulage contractors are responsible and liable for the actions of their drivers and the route pass issued by the Transport Commissioner requires that RTWs be lodged at the contractor’s depot on completion of deliveries or when not in use.”
