Nigerian Senate don raise alarm about di influx of substandard Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, and Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) or diesel, into di country’s market.

During one session on Wednesday, Senator Asuquo Ekpeyong raise matter of urgent national importance, revealing say on June 16, 2024, one report disclose say dem export 12 diesel cargoes totalling 660 kilotons from refineries to offshore Lome, Togo, wey dey mainly head for di Nigerian market. E highlight say di quality of dis diesel dey below Nigerian standards, particularly concerning flash and sulfur levels.

Ekpeyong point out say despite di Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) recently revising diesel importation standards according to di Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) of 2021, di agency never enforce these standards effectively.

In response, di Senate don establish ad-hoc committee to investigate di continued importation of substandard petroleum products and di dumping of hazardous diesel into Nigeria. Ekpeyong also note say NMDPRA dey continue to issue import licenses for diesel and jet fuel, despite di country’s sufficient local production capacity.

Lawmakers express their outrage, describing di situation as sabotage and a failure to meet di objectives of di Petroleum Industry Act. Dem emphasize say individuals wey dem find culpable in di illicit activities must face legal consequences.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio support di views of other lawmakers, suggesting say issues wey dem raise within di PIA suppose be reviewed to clarify records rather than targeting any individual.

Di ad-hoc committee, wey Senate leader dey chair, don get three weeks to report back to di Senate with their findings.

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