The House of Representatives’
Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) that investigated the importation of adulterated premium motor spirit into Nigeria has given a clean bill to the four oil marketers/Importers (including a consortium) to which the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, NNPC, Limited pointed the finger.
Those exonerated by the committee in its report that was submitted to the House in plenary on Wednesday were Duke Oil; MRS Oil and Gas; Oando Oil; and, a Consortium of Emadeb, Energy/Hyde/AY Maikifi/Britannia-U.
It was the second time that the Hon Abdullahi Gaya-led Committee would submit its report.
The first report it submitted was rejected by the House because it did not contain clearly-articulated findings and far-reaching recommendations.
The second report contained far-reaching recommendations including the committee’s concurrence with the NNPC’s exoneration of the four companies (three stand alone and a consortium four companies).
Read the recommendations hereunder:
“(a) That the Honourable Minister of Petroleum Resources should expedite action for completion of the rehabilitation work and ensure upgrading of the major refineries at Warri, Port Harcourt and Kaduna to meet AFRI5 Specification to boost local refining and reduce over-dependence on imported PMS into Nigeria to avert reoccurrence;
“(b) That the Honourable Minister of State, Petroleum Resources should initiate the adoption of the 2017 PMS Standard (NIS 116:2017) as approved by the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), which include testing for Methanol for future importation of the product into the country to mitigate recurrence;
“(c) That the Federal Government should position the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) to implement its mandate to the letter by subjecting all imported white Petroleum and other products to the offshore conformity assessment and also resume routine quality control of them and other products imported into the country at our various Seaports, Airports and borders throughout Nigeria as enshrined in the Standards Organization of Nigeria enabling Act of 2015. This will finally address the recurrence of the importation of off-specification PMS and other substandard goods into Nigeria.
“(d) That based on the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s exoneration, the four Oil Marketers/Importers (Duke Oil, MRS Oil and Gas, Oando Oil and Emadeb, Energy/Hyde/AY Maikifi/Britannia-U Consortium) did not commit any offence, (and), therefore not recommended for suspension.
“(e) That the Federal Government is to note that the Standards Organization of Nigeria’s (SON’s) mandate is also specifically enshrined in item 62 (d) of Part I of the Second Schedule (Exclusive Legislative List), to the 1999 Constitution.
“(f) That the Regulatory Authority in this case Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) should ensure proper housekeeping by working with Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMAN), Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) in ensuring water is drained regularly out of the tanks in the Tank Farms, Tankers (trucks) and underground tanks at the service stations.
“(g) That the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited shall maintain local supply and distribution of 90 million litres daily across the country until normalcy is restored.”
