The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, has begun the process of removing the adulterated petrol from circulation even as federal government disclosed that the supplier of the fake fuel has been identified and apprehended.
“The source supplier has been identified and further commercial and appropriate actions shall be taken by the Authority and NNPC Ltd.”
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, has addressed the reports of adulterated petrol in circulation.
According to NMDPRA, some filling stations were supplied petrol which contained high levels of methanol (an additive for producing petrol) in excessive quantity, above the standard specifications.
“The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (The Authority) wishes to inform the general public that limited quantity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) 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,” The statement read.
This is coming after Nigerians accused major oil marketers of selling adulterated fuel to unsuspecting buyers for financial gains.
To preempt further distribution of the adulterated fuel, NMDPRA said it had identified the supplier and removed affected products from the market.
“To ensure vehicle and equipment safety the limited quantity of the impacted products has been isolated and withdrawn from the market including the loaded trucks in transit.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 adequately supplied and distributed nationwide.