Reps probe price hike, alleged importation of adulterated fuel

By Christiana Ekpa

The House of Representatives on Monday begun the investigation of allegations of importation of adulterated petroleum products into country as well as difficulties of domestic refiners in accessing crude oil feedstock and the broader threats those issues pose to Nigeria’s energy security.

Speaker of the House, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen stated this at the inauguration of joint Committees on Petroleum (Downstream and Midstream) at the National Assembly complex in Abuja on Monday.

Abbas, represented by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, expressed concern over the resurgence of fuel queues at petrol stations, the increasing cost of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), and the unavailability of crude oil feedstock for downstream domestic refineries.

He said the investigation will also extend to other related issues impacting the sector; saying the quality of petroleum products imported into Nigeria has come under scrutiny, and the authorities must ensure compliance with global standards.

The Speaker insisted that the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) must guarantee that all petrol imported into the country was rigorously tested in laboratories to meet the standard Sulphur and octane levels.

“It is unacceptable that the petrol imported into the country contains high Sulphur level, is leaded, and has low octane levels – as we notably experienced in recent past that even led to socio-economic losses on a national scale including the knocking down of the engines of vehicles of Nigerians in their hundreds.

“In carbon control economies, maintaining high octane levels is a significant regulatory issue for both energy regulators and environmental protection agencies. The lower the octane level, the cheaper the cost of refining, but this should not be at the expense of quality and environmental standards.

“The role of regulatory bodies such as the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), and the NMDPRA is pivotal in ensuring that the petrol consumed in Nigeria is of environmentally friendly grade.

“One critical aspect we must address is the infrastructure for quality assurance that enables robust testing of petroleum products with the standard practice for manual sampling fully adhered to.

“It is expected that the joint committee on this nationally important assignment will carry out investigations on the quality and the number of laboratories that both the NMDPRA and SON have or use for their tests and return with actionable feedback,” Abbas said.

Speaking on the difficulties encountered by domestic refiners in accessing reliable supplies of crude oil feedstock for their refineries, Abbas reiterated

President Bola Tinubu’s full commitment to providing a level playing ground for producers and refiners to do business in the industry.

“Therefore, I implore the rule of engagement to ensure that the pricing model from the oil producers does not hinder the domestic refineries,” he added.

In their remarks, Co-chairmen of joint investigative committees, Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere (Downstream) and Hon. Henry Okojie (Midstream) called on all stakeholders to provide comprehensive support, including essential information and documentation.

They urged refinery operators, importers, producers, and marketers of petroleum products to share their complaints, suggestions, and independent facts.

The stressed that on its part to ensure thorough examination, it plans to conduct laboratory investigations at all local refineries, marketer and importer facilities, and regulatory agency labs such as the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).

It further disclosed that the committee will visit various filling stations belonging to different marketers, importers’ depots, and other relevant sites to collect samples for analysis.