The House of Representatives has mandated its Committee on Petroleum Resources Downstream to investigate the importation and release of adulterated petroleum across the country.
The House also called on the Nigeria National Petroleum Company NNPC, to suspend and investigate the four companies allegedly responsible for bringing the adulterated fuel into the country.
These were part of the prayers of a motion of urgent National Importance unanimously adopted on the urgent need to investigate the matter.
Presenting the motion, the Chief Whip of the House, Muhammad Tahir Monguno expressed concern that the lack of credible monitoring and surveillance system to ensure adequate fuel quality has resulted in the recent importation of adulterated fuel.
Monguno observed that such incidents have security and economic implications saying that “Aware that poor quality product was noticed about a week ago when many car engines of motorists were reportedly damaged and consumers allegedly started arresting and suing retail outlet owners for selling them products which damaged the vehicles.
Also aware that Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), which replaced the defunct Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), is directly responsible for monitoring and enforcing compliance in the nation’s downstream sector, including technical, operational, and commercial activities.”
Contributing to the debate, a member from Borno State Haruna Mishelia, argued that the guilty importers should be made to compensate all the motorists affected by the adulterated fuel.
“The adulteration of liquid petroleum products is an illegal and clandestine practice which poses severe risks to public health and automobile engine quality among others.” Mshelia stressed.
For a member from Akwa Ibom state, Onofiok Luke, the answer to the problem is the establishment of modular refineries.
Other lawmakers who contributed, agreed that the culprits should be found and brought to book to serve as deterrent.
Adopting the motion, the house resolved to invite the NNPC to get to the root of the matter.
Dominica Nwabufo
