The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has confirmed that an adulterated petrol is in circulation with methanol quantities above Nigeria’s specification.
The NMDPRA is one of the creations of the recently passed Petroleum Industry Act (PIA). The body is an amalgamation of the three defunct regulatory agencies: Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), Petroleum Equalization Fund {Management} Board (PEFMB), the Midstream and Downstream Divisions of the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), with Mr. Farouk Ahmed as the authority chief executive.
NMDPRA assured however that the supplier of the adulterated fuel “had been identified and appropriate sanction would apply.” In a statement, NMDPRA said oil marketers had been directed to ensure sufficient supply of quality petrol in all outlets in the country.
In the statement, the regulatory authority said, “Limited quantity of Premium Motor Spirit, commonly known as Petrol, with methanol quantities above Nigeria’s specification was discovered in the supply chain. Methanol is a regular additive in petrol and usually blended in an acceptable quantity.
“To ensure vehicular and equipment safety, the limited quantity of the impacted product has been isolated and withdrawn from the market, including the loaded trucks in transit. Our technical team in conjunction with NNPC Ltd and other industry stakeholders will continue to monitor and ensure quality petroleum products are adequately supplied and distributed nationwide.
“The source supplier has been identified and further commercial and appropriate actions shall be taken by the Authority and NNPC Ltd. NNPC Ltd and all oil marketing companies have been directed to sustain sufficient distribution of Petrol in all retail outlets nationwide.
“Meanwhile, NNPC has intensified efforts at increasing the supply of Petrol into the market in order to bridge any unforeseen supply gap,” the NMDPRA.
Long queues emerged in filling stations in major cities in the countries since Sunday evening creating panic among motor owners who responded by rushing to queue. The development also ignited the usual emergence of black market dealers.
As at yesterday, one liter of fuel sold for as much as N500. The black market vendors were seen running after vehicles and close to petrol stations. The busy atmosphere also created traffic jams in some major roads.
Until last night when the federal government statement came, the speculation was that retail outlets were hoarding fuel in the suspicion that the federal government was going to increase pump price of fuel.
The statement said the NNPC Ltd and all oil marketing companies have been directed to sustain sufficient distribution of Petrol in all retail outlets nationwide.
It also assured that NNPC would intensify efforts at increasing the supply of petrol into the market in order to bridge any unforeseen supply gap.
By Chibisi Ohakah, Abuja
Be the first to know when we publish an update
