Contaminated Fuel: FCCPC, NMDPRA engage stakeholders on quality assurance framework

*The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission says it is collaborating with other regulators to strengthen, expand testing and monitoring parameters for fuel importation

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

As part of measures to prevent further importation of harmful petroleum products into the country, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC),   Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited are collaborating on engaging fuel importers and distributors.

Mr. Babatunde Irukera, Executive Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (EVC/CEO) of FCCPC, disclosed this development while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria Tuesday, March 1, 2022,  in Abuja, FCT.

Fuel scarcity affects individuals, businesses and organisations in Nigeria

Irukera said the stakeholder engagement was for the regulators to strengthen, expand testing and monitoring parameters to include other properties in fuel that were previously not subject to testing.

The FCCPC EVC/CEO noted that the move would ensure a more robust quality assurance framework.

He said that the framework is now in place to prevent future occurrence.

In respect of reported fuel hoarding by some filling stations, Irukera stated that the NMDPRA is the primary regulator in downstream operations in  Nigeria.

He also said: “With respect to preventing further importation of off spec or unwholesome gasoline, one of the initial engagements FCCPC undertook with the downstream regulator and NNPC was strengthening and expanding testing and monitoring parameters to include other properties in fuel that were previously not subject to testing.

“This is to ensure a more robust quality assurance framework, and that is now in place to prevent future occurrence.”

Irukera urged consumers who were dissatisfied with the services rendered to them by fuel stations to return to the retail outlets for remedy.

However, in case the remedy was unavailable then, a complaint to the NMDPRA or FCCPC could be the next option.

The FCCPC EVC/CEO stated: “The first thing is to return to the retail outlet for remedy.

“In the event that the remedy is unavailable, or insufficient, a complaint to the NMDPRA or FCCPC is in order.”

In a related development, Irukera as well spoke on enforcement by the Joint Committee the regulators, including the Commission, CBN and EFCC, set up to address ‘loan sharks’ he  Irukera said, “movement will commence shortly.

“We needed to go through the courts, and just got close to clearing up there.”

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