NNPC also said investigation revealed the presence of Methanol in four PMS cargoes imported by these suppliers despite being certified good for usage
By Kehinde Okeowo
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) has listed names of companies that brought the adulterated Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) into the country.
The revelation was made by the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari while addressing reporters on Wednesday night in Abuja.
TheNiche earlier reported that the contaminated petrol damaged several vehicles and equipment of several citizens and companies.
Queues have also surfaced in filling stations in Abuja, Lagos and some parts of the country.
Kyari during the press briefing, said, NNPC after investigation found four companies culpable of importing the substandard PMS.
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He went on to say the PMS was imported from Antwerp in Belgium but quality inspectors failed to detect the high level of methanol in them.
“NNPC investigation revealed the presence of Methanol in Four (4) PMS cargoes imported by the following DSDP suppliers namely:
“MRS MT Bow Pioneer LITASCO Terminal, Antwerp-Belgium, Emadeb/Hyde/AY Maikifi/Brittania-U Consortium MT Tom Hilde; Oando MT Elka Apollon; Duke Oil MT Nord Gainer,” he said.
Kyari said that cargo quality certificates issued at load port (Antwerp-Belgium) by AmSpec Belgium showed the gasoline complied with Nigerian specifications.
NNPC quality inspectors, including GMO, SGS, GeoChem, and G&G also conducted tests before discharge, while the cargoes were equally certified by inspection agents appointed by the Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.
The NNPC boss said his organisation has ordered the quarantine of all un-evacuated volumes and the holding back of all the affected products in transit.
Defaulting suppliers have been put on notice for remedial actions, while the state oil company and relevant agencies will take further actions in line with subsisting regulations.