Arrive Alive disposable breathalysers announcement based on misinformation

Thursday 10 December 2009

Engen sets record straight about lack of units at service station retail shops

Engen Petroleum has moved to clear the air surrounding the Arrive Alive campaign to make disposable breathalysers available to the public during the mass motoring migration and festive revelry of December.

As motorists failed to find stock of the units at the company's service stations, and its suppliers said none would be available until 12 January, Engen's retail marketing manager Pierr Roodt said the company is not to blame.

Sober driving campaign

On the first weekend of December, the Transport Ministry announced that self-testing breathalyser kits would be on sale to the public during the holiday. Reportedly singling Engen out, Minister S'Bu Ndebele said he hoped additional outlets would come on board in the near future. "In truth, Engen is only one of several retailers that have been earmarked to distribute the devices," Roodt points out.

"As regards the unavailability of units at our dealer sites, that cannot be said to be Engen's fault," he continues. "We were approached by the suppliers' agents just weeks ago, and made it very clear then that it was very late in the day to arrange outlets, as we needed to consult our dealer network."

Notwithstanding the tight deadline, Engen was able to secure agreement from its dealers. "We always strive to align ourselves with the Arrive Alive campaign," says Roodt. "We really bent over backwards to accommodate them."

But before an agreement with the supplier could be reached, the Ministerial announcement was made, evidently based on erroneous information, says Roodt.

He says Engen regrets the inconvenience to motorists, adding that the company cannot make any warranties as to the expected availability of breathalysers, given the suppliers' warning. "We pledge to keep the public informed should anything change, but would in the meantime point them to alternate suppliers."

For further information, please contact Tania Landsberg on 021 403 4911 or e-mail her at Tania.landsberg@engenoil.com.