Adulterated fuel: Reps furious, probe NNPC, SON’s involvement in importation

By Christiana Ekpa 

The House of Representatives, Wednesday vowed to investigate Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) limited, Standard Organization of Nigerian (SON) and others over havoc caused by the adulterated fuel in circulation to vehicles and other machines in the country and its economic challenges,  stressing that heads will roll.

The House equally mandated its Committee on Petroleum (Downstream) to ascertain the details of purchase of petroleum products made from January till date to ascertain whether they met with the international standards.

The House in resolutions as the result of motion moved by the Chief Whip of the House, Hon. Mohammed Mongunu at Thursday plenary also directed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, NNPC to immediately suspend  the four companies said to be involved in the purchasing and supplying of the bad fuel.

The Committee will also investigate the roles played by the NNPC limited, Standard Organization of Nigeria, SON, Navy and all other regulatory agencies in the petroleum sector in the supply of the deadly product.

Presenting the Motion on the “Need to Investigate the Release and Sale of Adulterated Premium Motos Spirit (PMS) in Petro! Stations Across Nigeria” Monguno noted that the nation recently witnessed a sudden scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) with the attendant long queues at petrol stations, especially in the Federal Capital Territory and Lagos State.

He said: “According to reports, the scarcity was as a result of adulterated petrol in circulation upon the discovery of which the Federal Government ordered the stoppage of further distribution of the product.”

“Aware that poor quality product was noticed about a week ago when many car engines of motorists were reportedly damaged and consumers allegedly started arresting and suing retail outlet owners for selling them products which damaged thew vehicles.

“Also aware that Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), which replaced the defunct Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), is directly responsible for monitoring and enforcing compliance in the nation’s downstream sector, including technical, operational, and commercial activities .

“Cancerned that Adulteration of liquid petroleum products is an illegal and Clandestine practice which poses severe risks to public health and automobile engine quality among others.

“Also concerned that the sudden scarcity of premium motor Sprint across the country has not only caused untold hardship to Nigerians, but also affected the county s economy with the sudden increase in transportation cost which in tum affects the price of goods and services and the loss of man-hours as people are held up in fuel queues.

“Worried about the seeming lack of a credible monitoring and surveillance system to ensure adequate fuel quality at the consumer end and prevent undue stress to the citzenry and the country as a whole” he said.

Rep. Toby Okechukwu on his part said the regulatory agencies have failed in their duties, adding that there must  compensation for victims of the adulterated fuel importation.

Taiwo Oluga in her contribution said the CEO of NNPC Ltd should be summoned to the House to explain to Nigerians what happened, adding that the NNPC was putting lives of Nigerians in danger.

But Deputy Speaker Idris Wase countered the call for summon to the plenary, saying, the House should have confidence in its committees and the work they do.

Rep Tajudeen Yusuf in his contribution blamed the development on failure of regulatory agencies, saying, they have failed to do their jobs.

He said those who purchased the adulterated fuel and with attendant damage on their vehicles  should be compensated.