The Energy Regulation Board (ERB) has warned Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) to desist from charging motorists for use of toilets when their licence conditions clearly stipulate that convenience services must be provided for free to the public.
This came to the attention of the regulations board after a named company in Kapiri Mposhi had recently started charging motorists to access toilets.
In a press statement, ERB cautioned Oil Marketing Companies to adhere to licence conditions to protect the interest of consumers and ensure they get value for their money.
The regulations board charged that filling stations are required to provide ancillary services such as functioning toilets, compressed air, tyre inflator and pressure gauge in accordance with the ERB licence conditions.
In its statement, ERB reminded oil marketing companies to uphold the licence conditions and that failure to do so would attract enforcement actions which includes fines and reduces grading of affected sites.
Furthermore, the regulation board notified that its inspection team would continue to operate random checks to ensure that filling stations are not charging motorists for use of ancillary services.
The regulations board further appealed to members of the public to demand for receipts whenever they are charged so as to provide proof of payment that can be used to facilitate enforcement action against erring filling stations.