Amid rife complaints of scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit (known in local parlance as petrol) and unverified allegations of car mechanical problems by owners, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority says the cause of the inexplicable fuel scarcity is not unconnected to government’s stoppage of the adulterated product product flooding filling stations.
“Petrol, with methanol quantities above Nigeria’s specification was discovered in the supply chain”, the agency said.
There have been viral posts of the bad fuel and its effect on cars on social media lending credence to the statement by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Regulatory Authority.
Some angry respondents have told stories of their predicament, but some like Emmanuel put the blame squarely on African governments and dependence on the West
His comments: “……& the subsidy shylocks won’t even buy ours after being refined. No. They would go further to look for cheaper ones from other climes, the sulphurous & damning ones, to supply to us. It’s now that I understand why I’d to change my new fuel pump which I suspect was recently shattered by bad fuel from black, nay, ‘red’ market. My suspicion became justified when I heard about two cars owners also complain of suffering exactly same thing. & now, this sulphur news! This is why Africa might not recover from her penurious situation. For instance, the car components, who’s manufacturing them? Foreigners. Isn’t it? We buy our car from them, we shatter it with bad roads, bad fuel, etc. & we return to them to replace same! What are we doing to ourselves? Africans, THINK!”
The government statement reads in full:
“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.
“To ensure vehicular and equipment safety, the limited quantity of the impacted product has been isolated and withdrawn from the market, including the loaded trucks in transit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.”