The investigation was launched after the metrology directorate refused publishing the names of the petrol stations which stole 500 milliliters of fuel for every 10 litres or 100 lek (Euro 0.7) for every purchase of 2,000 lek (Euro 14)
TIRANA, Sept. 9 – Tirana’s Prosecutor’s office has launched an investigation into several petrol stations which a local metrology directorate identified as abusing the amount of fuel drivers buy. The probe was launched after the Metrology Directorate identified abuses with the amount of fuel in 14 petrol stations, four of which in Tirana and after the metrology directorate refused publishing the names of the petrol stations which are alleged to have stolen consumers 500 milliliters of fuel for every 10 litres or 100 lek (Euro 0.7) for every purchase of 2,000 lek (Euro 14).
The General Directorate of Metrology which has refused making public the names of the abusive petrol stations says it has imposed fines ranging from 30,000 lek to 750,000 lek to each abusive petrol station in Tirana, Durres, Kavaja, Lezha, Shkodra, Fier, Korca
Abuse of quality and quantity are frequent in Albania’s fuel market. Early in 2011, a massive fraud scheme involving the gasoline and diesel distribution system, selling mixed premium products with inferior byproducts that could have damaged thousands of vehicles and cost consumers millions was unveiled. The probe led to charges for 13 men, both public officials and businesspeople.
With an annual turnover of around 1 billion Euros, the fuel market is one of the biggest industries in the country and has a direct impact on all sectors of the economy and citizen’s welfare. Data from fuel associations show some 160 companies operate in the wholesale oil and liquid gas market and another 1,000 in the retail market, making the market fully liberalized.
Konfindustria supports probe
Albania’s business community represented by the Konfindustria Association has supported an initiative by the prosecution general to probe into the Albanian fuel market after the identification of several cases of abuses with the quantity of fuel. “The publication of the names of the abusers is necessary even for the fair market operators themselves which could be unfairly punished by consumers,” says Konfindustria.
“Such an initiative is necessary because this is the biggest market in the country with an annual turnover estimated at Euro 1 billion and representing around 10 percent of the GDP which implies that abuses could reach dozens of millions of euros each year.”
“Apart from the abuse of quantity, the poor quality of fuel is another issue of concern damaging both Albanian businesses and households and the Albanian economy in general. Data from the Central Technical Inspectorate show there are some 30,000 tonnes of fuel circulating in Albania every year which does not meet quality standards,” says Konfindustria.
