The recent long queues at fuel stations and the panic buys from users of Petroleum Motor Spirit, PMS, popularly called petrol in Nigeria, is not without a reason(s) as the Nigerian government has alerted users of the product on why this is so.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, on behalf of the Federal Government, it was revealed that, a large amount of adulterated petrol, with methanol quantity above the normal specification, was discovered in the supply chain.
Although, suppliers of the adulterated PMS have been identified and appropriate sanction on the way, oil marketers across the nation have been directed to ensure sufficient supply of quality petrol in all outlets in the country to ease the pressures on end users; in particular, commuters.
However, in reaction to the Monday long queues at filling stations, a situation that still persists as verified by SarahReports team at the time of filling this report, the regulatory authority in a statement, 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“To ensure vehicular and equipment safety, the limited quantity of the impacted product has been isolated and withdrawn from the market, including the loaded trucks in transit.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.”
Meanwhile, the Abia State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ayinla Olowo, told newsmen that, the Corp has “destroyed eight illegal modular refineries in the oil-bearing Ukwa West Local Government Area” of the state, following an hint of the illegal activities and the sustained efforts by the command to rid the state of illegal dealings involving petroleum products.
Commandant Olowo also confirmed that, earlier, precisely two (2) weeks ago, the state command had destroyed eight (8) similar modular facilities within the same Ukwa West LGA by operatives of the Anti-Vandal Unit of the command, in a codenamed Operation Sting.
Olowo stated,
“The Anti-Vandal Unit
operatives, on February 5, 2022, destroyed eight (8) illegal refineries, and disconnected all the pipes with which they siphoned products from the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation’s pipelines.”
Olowo, while calling for the cooperation of the people of the Ukwa West communities, promised to work with other security agencies in the state, to get to the root of the criminal act, and also to uncover the master minders behind the illegalities.
Olowo reiterated the Commandant-General of the Corps, Mr. Ahmed Audi, support in fighting the crime; adding that, “Once we have the vehicles to get into the forest, then the issue of illegal petrol refineries and other illegal dealings in petroleum products will become a thing of the past.”