The Nigerian Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has said that it has commenced effective steps to ensure fuel sufficiency in the country.
The Group General Manager Group Public Affairs Division, NNPC, Garba Deen Muhammad, quoted the Chief Executive Officer/ Group Managing Director of NNPC, Mallam Mele Kyari, as having made the comment during a meeting with oil marketers in Abuja.
Kyari said that NNPC has commenced sourcing additional cargoes to ensure product sufficiency in the bid to resolve the scarcity generated by the unfortunate importation, supply and consequent withdrawal of methanol adulterated fuel in the country.
The GMD said that the Company had put all defaulting suppliers on notice for remedial action and would collaborate with the authorities to ensure necessary action in consonance with the law.
Kyari listed the companies which imported the four cargoes of contaminated fuel to include MRS MT Bow Pioneer LITASCO Terminal, Antwerp-Belgium; Emadeb/Hyde/AY Maikifi/Brittania-U Consortium MT Tom Hilde; Oando MT Elka Apollon and Duke Oil MT Nord Gainer.
Kyari explained the fuel slipped into the country because “the usual quality inspection protocol employed in both the load port in Belgium and our discharge ports in Nigeria do not include the test for Percent methanol content and therefore the additive was not detected by our quality inspectors.”
“Cargoes quality certificates issued at load port (Antwerp-Belgium) by AmSpec Belgium indicate that the gasoline complied with Nigerian Specification.
“The NNPC quality inspectors including GMO, SGS, GeoChem and G&G conducted tests before discharge also showed that the gasoline met Nigerian specification.
6”As a standard practice for all PMS import to Nigeria, the cargoes were equally certified by inspection agent appointed by the Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority has met Nigerian specification.” He explained further.
He said that the NNPC had to promptly direct the quarantine of the product, identify and recall all trucks carrying it in transit In order to prevent its distribution.