‘I’ve been accused of using juju to control fuel queue’

Ahmed Argungu: As a leader, you are supposed to do what is right and from there, you’ll naturally earn the confidence to do your job as well as earn the respect that you’re supposed to earn. You see, I have my boys who work here with me, but many times I do some of the […]

Ahmed Argungu: As a leader, you are supposed to do what is right and from there, you’ll naturally earn the confidence to do your job as well as earn the respect that you’re supposed to earn. You see, I have my boys who work here with me, but many times I do some of the foot work they’re supposed to do.

The reason is that sometimes, customers like to entice them with money to enter the queue. I have seen these things happen in other filling stations where motorists give bribes at the entrance and on getting in, they also bribe the pump attendants before buying the fuel.

These are the reasons why I usually leave my office and go to the gate to monitor how things are being done. Sometimes, I do that even if it would cost me my lunch. My major priority is for customers to come, follow the right process and buy their fuel. I am not in any way intimidated by whatever status somebody has. Mine is to do the right thing from the depth of my conscience.

What major challenge or experience have you ever had with customers in the course of upholding your principle of due process?

Argungu: I can remember one crazy incident that occurred some years ago. Some military policemen came here with their ‘oga’, forced their way to the entrance and demanded to be served fuel when there was a long queue, but I refused. One of the military guys then brought out a dagger and stabbed me in the face (showed this reporter a scar on his forehead).

Meanwhile, onlookers at the scene supported me by blaming the military men for intruding. As the incident went on, I didn’t know that there was another military officer at the scene. He then intervened and reported the case to the higher authority and I was later treated in the hospital.

How long have you been in this job and where do you get the knack and confidence to coordinate rowdy situations, especially during fuel scarcity?

Argungu: I have spent 25 years on this job. Let me tell you, no matter your position and status, I don’t get intimidated. The same applies in all the filling stations that I have worked. The moment I command a person to move his vehicle, he must obey. There is no need for coercion to effect that. It is just a secret gift from God. I don’t need security agents to control my customers. God has deposited something in me in that regard.

The power to control customers is just as a result of my confidence in what I am doing and also the fact that God is aware of the justice and fairness I am rendering. I have heard so many allegations and accusations that I am using juju to control motorists on the queue.

The moment I ask a motorist to stop, that is it. He will obey. In fact, our exit gate is permanently open. We don’t lock it and you cannot dare use it to shunt the queue. Even if you enter through that gate, the moment I open my mouth and ask you to go back, you’ll obey. If you insist, you can then stay there, be it for 100 hours, you would not be served fuel. That is my policy and our station’s policy as well.

We have observed that there is fuel scarcity. What do you think is the cause?

Argungu: The reason is that some marketers thought that there could be a price hike, but government made it clear that there wouldn’t be any hike in price. Secondly, PENGASSAN union has demanded for road rehabilitation before lifting products from the south to the north. But as from this week, the scarcity would be over, all things being equal. We just hope the stakeholders will work together.

Where did you learn this due process in discharging your duties?

Argungu: I learned this principle from the days I was growing up. I grew up in my village, Argungu, in Kebbi State as a young boy. I was attending both Islamic and western education; my Islamic teachings right from childhood thought me to be on the path of truth and honesty no matter how bitter it may seem. That virtue has really shaped and given me confidence in all that I do. I don’t care whose interest I tamper with.

During the military regime when there were task force people mounted in every filling station, knowing how we operated, the task force commandant said our station didn’t need one. He said we were operating in a more sincere manner than even the task force people themselves.