The Senate on Wednesday, raised an alarm regarding the increasing presence of substandard Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) and Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) in the Nigerian market.
During a discussion of urgent national significance, Senator Asuquo Ekpeyong noted that a report on June 16, 2024, revealed the export of 12 diesel cargoes totaling 660 kilotons from refineries to offshore Lome, Togo, for distribution in West African markets, primarily Nigeria.
He stated that the diesel’s quality did not meet Nigerian standards for flash point and sulfur levels.
He further revealed that despite the recent revision of diesel importation standards by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) in accordance with the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021, enforcement of these standards has been ineffective.
Subsequently, the Senate established an ad-hoc committee to investigate the ongoing importation of hazardous petroleum products and the influx of substandard diesel into Nigeria.
Ekpeyong further stated that the NMDPRA has continued issuing import licenses for diesel and jet fuel despite adequate local production capacity.
Lawmakers expressed frustration over what they deemed sabotage and a clear failure of the Petroleum Industry Act’s objectives. The Senate asserted that those implicated in these illicit activities must face legal consequences.
Meanwhile, Senate President Sen. Godswill Akpabio echoed other lawmakers’ sentiments that issues raised under the PIA should be reviewed, not as a witch-hunt, but to ensure clarity and accountability.
The Senate leader chairs the Adhoc committee tasked with investigating these allegations, which has been given three weeks to deliver its findings to the chamber.