FCCPC’s engagements with relevant regulators on ‘methanol-blended’ petrol productive ─Irukera

*Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission says its ongoing engagement with multiple regulators and entities involved in the fuel distribution value chain is aimed at addressing supply constraints and promoting consumer confidence in the economy

Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) is aware that a certain but limited quantity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, that did not comply with established, applicable, and prevailing standards had been distributed and sold in certain parts of Nigeria.

Mr. Babatunde Irukera, Executive Vice-Chairman/Chief Executive of FCCPC, said this in a statement titled: “Interim Statement With Respect To Irregular Methanol Quantities In Petrol (PMS) Discovered In The Supply Chain”, issued Thursday, February 10, 2022, in Abuja, FCT.

Irukera disclosed that the regulatory Commission in the process of its initial investigative assessment understands that consumers who purchased fuel that constitutes part of this consignment have experienced technical difficulties and/or damage to their vehicles or other relevant equipment/machinery.

According to the FCCPC Chief Executive, in furtherance of its investigation, and pursuant to relevant laws, including Sections 17(a), (h), (i), (l), (t), (w), (y), (z), 131(a), (b), (d), 132, 133, 136 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018; and Sections 164(5)(b) and 210 of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021, the Commission is currently engaging multiple regulators and entities relevant and involved in the PMS distribution value chain.

He also noted the purpose of the FCCPC’s ongoing engagements includes:

• Addressing hardship or difficulties consumers may experience with respect to withdrawal of the implicated products from the market;
• Securing assurance and promoting consumer confidence that supply constraints are addressed and will not persist;
• Ensuring that the regulator’s recall effort under applicable laws and regulations, including Petroleum Industry Act, 2021 and Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018 (FCCPA) sufficiently excludes continuing distribution of the implicated product;
• Encourage and promote additional and robust mechanisms to prevent reoccurrence; and
• Develop a meaningful and transparent mechanism to address demonstrated injury to the affected consumers.

Fuel sales

“The Commission’s engagement with the key and relevant regulators/entities involved has been constructive and productive,” Irukera stated.

The FCCPC commended the responsiveness and prioritisation of ensuring continuity of supply, containment of implicated product and sensitivity to consumer dissatisfaction and inconvenience.

The Executive Vice-Chairman further stated that Commission is continuing engagement, particularly with respect to a reasonable and acceptable mechanism to mitigate demonstrated injury and or loss experienced by Nigerian consumers.

“The Commission intends to provide additional information as this rather dynamic situation evolves,” said Irukera.