Regulator confirms excess methanol in fuel supply chain, withdraws affected product from market

*The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority assures its technical team in conjunction with NNPC Limited and other industry stakeholders will continue to ensure the supply and distribution of quality petroleum products to consumers nationwide

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

As fuel scarcity and resultant queues resurface in Abuja, Lagos, and some other parts of the country in the last few days, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA, The Authority) has affirmed that a limited quantity of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, with methanol quantities above Nigeria’s specification was discovered in the fuel supply chain.

ConsumerConnect reports The Authority in a statement issued late Tuesday, February 8, 2022, in Abuja, FCT, explains Methanol is a regular additive in petrol, and it is usually blended in an acceptable quantity.

NMDPRA, however, stated in order to ensure vehicular and equipment safety, the limited quantity of the impacted product has been isolated and withdrawn from the market, including the loaded trucks in transit.

“Our technical team in conjunction with NNPC Limited and other industry stakeholders, will continue to monitor and ensure quality petroleum products are adequately supplied and distributed nationwide,” said The Authority.

According to the industry regulator, the source supplier of the impacted product has been identified, and further commercial as well as appropriate actions shall be taken by The Authority and NNPC Limited.

NMDPRA further disclosed it had directed the NNPC Limited, and all oil marketing companies to sustain sufficient distribution of petrol in all retail outlets throughout Nigeria.

“Meanwhile, NNPC has intensified efforts at increasing the supply of petrol into the market in order to bridge any unforeseen supply gap,” it added.