NMDPRA recalls methanol-laden petrol from market, as IPMAN, NNPC, others dialogue over substandard product
Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has disclosed that it discovered limited quantity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), known as petrol, with methanol quantities above Nigeria’s specification already in the supply chain.
NMDPRA, which is agency that replaced the defunct Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Authority (PPPRA), made this known in a statement, Tuesday in Abuja.
NMDPRA said to ensure vehicular and equipment safety, the limited quantity of the impacted product has been isolated and withdrawn from the market, including the loaded trucks in transit.
Methanol is a regular additive in Petrol and usually blended in an acceptable quantity.
It noted that the source supplier has been identified and further commercial and appropriate actions shall be taken by the Authority and NNPC Ltd.
It assured that its technical team in conjunction with NNPC and other industry stakeholders, would continue to monitor and ensure that quality petroleum products were supplied and distributed nationwide.
“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 Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) says it is discussing with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Ltd (NNPC) and stakeholders on imported substandard Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
National President, IPMAN, Elder Chinedu Okoronkwo, who disclosed this, Tuesday, in Abuja, was reacting to the high sulphur PMS imported by the NNPC Ltd, while petroleum marketers had been advised not to sell the product loaded from that particular cargo.
He said that discussion was ongoing with IPMAN, top NNPC echelon and other relevant stakeholders on how to adjust the operational circle.
This, he said, would prevent the vessel in question from discharging another substandard fuel.
The president noted that as soon as they were done with the discussion, the outcome would be made known to the public.
“I want to assure the general public that there should not be any panic, there is enough fuel to service them and there is no cause for alarm because nothing will affect the public or the industry.
“This is the first time we are experiencing this and it is not an intentional issue, Nigerians should have to bear with the industry at large,” he said.
On queues being experience at some fueling stations in Abuja presently and other parts, he assured the public that there were sufficient fuel apart from the undiluted product which had been taken care of.
“There is enough fuel already in existence before this undiluted product, which has been taken care. No fueling station will like to put that in the tank neither will a car buyer do.
“But there are products on the road which have been loaded, as soon as it arrives Abuja and other states, there will be fuel before the week runs off,” he assured.
