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Self service at 10 Enoc stations from today

DUBAI — Motorists will have to fill petrol and diesel on their own at 10 Enoc (Emirates National Oil Company) stations in Dubai and the Northern Emirates from Tuesday.

According to Khalid Hadi, Enoc Group brand and marketing manager, this self-service is a pilot project being started following the global trend. 'In the US and Europe, all use the self-service method. Now we want to test the reaction across the UAE.'

Asked why the project is being launched in the summer, Hadi said this is the best time for testing as it will give the most accurate results. 'People might be willing to get out of their vehicles and fill petrol themselves in the pleasant winter time but for this method to work, they have to be able to do it in the summer weather as well.' This reporter visited two of the selected Enoc stations on Monday and spoke with a few motorists. One of them, Bilal Suleiman Zarei, said he has no problem with self-service as it takes only two minutes to fill petrol. Besides, he likes the smell of petrol.

Jennifer Small-Amami, another motorist, said, 'I'm a Canadian. Self-service is a way of life for us. I think this is a great move. Usually, with self-service, the price of petrol drops a little too. I think if people were given the choice, they would choose self-service.'

Jennifer might be used to the system, but not everyone in the UAE can be expected to be familiar with it. Perhaps keeping that in mind, the self-service Enoc stations will have employees standing by in the first two months to guide the motorists through the process.

The pilot project will run for three months. Depending on its success, self-service might be introduced in other Enoc stations as well.

The self-service initiative has raised concerns about the future of the employees of these stations. However, Hadi emphasised that no employee will lose his/her job because of the move. They will be shifted to other Enoc facilities such as the convenience store, quick oil change or car wash.

Self-service Enoc stations

• Al Bada'a, opposite Jumeirah Jail, Dubai
• Al Manara, Jumeirah Beach Road, Dubai
• Al Hashimi, behind Sahara Centre, Sharjah
• Al Falah, Emirates Road, Sharjah
• Al Arouba, Ajman-Sharjah Road
• Al Ittihad, Greenbelt Road, Sharjah
• Al Rafia, Dhaid-Sharjah Road
• Al Gharafa, Ajman Main Street
• Marine, Fujairah Marine Club
• Thouban, Sharjah-Fujairah Highway

• UAE