The Ministry of Commerce and Investment has shut down gasoline pumps at two fuel stations in Makkah and Jeddah over the past few days, due to commercial fraud, relevant to mixing gasoline, non-compliance with standard specifications and lack of calibration.
MCI inspection teams shut down fuel pumps in Al-Harazat quarter, Jeddah, on Monday, because of mixing benzene (91 with 95). The inspectors monitored as well mixing of benzene with water and other materials. Therefore, samples were withdrawn and sent to the Saudi Standards, Metrology and Quality Organization to ensure the safety of benzene and to oblige the owner of giving compensation to the consumers and to fix their vehicles, if damaged by the mixing process, in accordance with the applied regulations.
In Makkah, the inspection teams detected a commercial fraud of mixing benzene (91 with 95) at a fuel station, on King Abdullah Road. The pumps shut down and samples were withdrawn for examination, while the owner was summoned by MCI branch for taking the necessary procedures.
It is worth mentioning that H.E. the Minister of Commerce and Investment, Dr. Majid bin Abdullah Al Qassabi, inaugurated last month the Electronic Fuel Pumps Inspection & Calibration System, which aims to increase the control role on fuel stations by increasing the level of transparency in the service provided to consumers, also eliminating gasoline mixing and any commercial fraud cases.
MCI explained that a poster will be placed in a prominent place on the fuel pump, after carrying out the necessary examination and calibration, according to the following colors: Matching (Green), in Violation (Red).
MCI would like to emphasize that it will not hesitate to impose legal penalties on violators and those involved in the practice of fraud and counterfeiting, and all that put the life of consumers at risk.
MCI calls on all consumers to lodge their complaints and observations to MCI Consumer Call Center (1900), or through the application of a Commercial Violation Report via their smart phones.