Nigerian security agencies have begun investigations into the importation of contaminated fuel into Africa’s most populous nation.
Reports have suggested that corporations and individuals involved in the importation of the contaminated fuel are being interrogated.
Besides those who imported the contaminated fuel, energynewsafrica.com understands government officials who certified the products as fit for use are also being grilled to determine whether their action was influenced by pecuniary interest, neglect of duty or connivance for economic sabotage.
According to a report filed by Vanguard, an unnamed top security officer who is part of the investigation team noted that the inquiry into the contaminated fuel is going to be comprehensive in line with a directive by President Muhammadu Buhari.
“I can tell you that based on the order by Mr President that those behind the contaminated fuel be identified, we have invited and interrogated critical players in the oil industry who might have had one or more roles to play in the bad fuel saga.
“It is apparent that heads will roll in this matter. So far, all those invited for interrogation by security agents have been cooperating with us and have spoken of their specific roles in the matter but the probe, which is very detailed and thorough, will continue until we get to the root of the matter.
“It is obvious that anyone-whether an individual or corporate entity-who might have played a role in the importation of the polluted petrol would be severely punished to serve as a deterrent to others who might want to sabotage the interest of the country.
“The importation of the tainted petrol into Nigeria amounts to economic sabotage with grave national security implications as many vehicles have been damaged and the economy grounded owing to the sudden fuel scarcity triggered by the withdrawal of the impure petrol from circulation nationwide,” the unnamed security officer said as carried by Vanguard.
Nigerians woke up to the news of the spread of adulterated petrol being circulated across the country early this month.
However, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Group Managing Director (GMD), Mr Mele Kyari, was quick to alert the nation of the presence of toxic petrol when he addressed the media on February 9, 2022, and revealed how and who brought it into the country.
Mr Kyari revealed that the adulterated fuel was imported into the country by four importers from Antwerp in Belgium with quality inspectors failing to detect the high level of methanol it contained, first at the point of import in Belgium and later at the point of arrival in Nigeria.
He said that the NNPC’s investigation revealed the presence of methanol in the four PMS cargoes imported by MRS, Emadeb/Hyde/AY Maikifi/Brittania-U Consortium, Oando and Duke Oil.
However, the four companies promptly denied any wrongdoing, insisting that their products were duly cleared as meeting the standard requirements before they were brought into the country.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com