Victor EzejaMRS Oil, one of the major players in the downstream sector of Nigerian oil and gas industry has debunked the allegation in circulation on media platforms that it imported contaminated Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) also known as fuel into the country.
In a press release issued by management of the company on Wednesday, February 9, 2022, titled “PMS CONTAMINATION IN MRS RETAIL STATION”, it said that the company was not involved in importation and distribution of contaminated petroleum products in the country.
The company stated that due to the current subsidy regime, importation of fuel into Nigeria was solely the responsibility of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) which does that through its trading arm called Duke Oil.
On the raging issue of contaminated fuel currently in circulation which has led to shutdown of some petrol station suspected to be in possession of the bad product, MRS explained that Duke Oil supplied a cargo of PMS which it purchased from an international trader, Litasco and was discharged at Apapa between January 24 and 30, 2022.
It said the company was one of the recipients of the product which amounted to 5,000 metric tonnes.
The company admitted that following public outcry, analysis of the product in their retail outlets was carried out which revealed that it contained 20 percent methanol, an illegal substance in Nigeria. Upon discovering that, the company said it informed NNPC, NMDPRA and MOMAN about it and is currently awaiting approval for return of the product.
Part of the statement reads, “We want to reassure the public and all relevant authorities, that ‘MRS’ is a responsible corporate citizen and will not be involved in the purchase, importation, distribution or marketing of substandard petroleum products in Nigeria.
“The Management of ‘MRS’ writes to inform the public of the facts which has resulted in product scarcity in the country. Due to current subsidy regime, NNPC is the sole supplier of all PMS in Nigeria. Consequently, NNPC through their trading arm, Duke Oil, supplied a cargo of PMS purchased from international trader Litasco and delivered it with Motor Tanker (MT) Nord Gainer.
“This vessel discharged in Apapa between January 24 and 30, 2022 and the following Major Marketers with receiving quantities were the recipients of the product: OVH 10,000 mt; MRS 5,000 mt; NIPCO 5,958 mt; ARDOVA 6,000 mt; TOTAL 10,000 mt.
“As one of the beneficiaries, MRS received the product in its depot and distributed the product to only eight of its stations in Lagos. Following delivery into tank, it was observed that the product appeared hazy and dark; Management immediately directed that further sale(s) should be stopped and the product isolated. Urgent steps were taken to analyze the product to determine the basis for its contamination.
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“The product analysis revealed that the PMS discharged by MT Nord Ganier had 20% methanol, which is an illegal substance in Nigeria. As a Company, we are aware that alcohol/ethanol is not permitted to be mixed in PMS specification. We immediately informed NNPC, NMDPRA and MOMAN and it was confirmed that other Members had similar experiences.”
MRS disclosed that as at the time of issuing the press release, it had a total of 350,000 litres in tank in eight stations, awaiting the next action from regulatory authorities.
“The eight stations have been isolated, but there are other tanks within the stations, which will receive uncontaminated product for sale as soon as possible,” it further stated.
It said, the company currently is not selling contaminated products and urged members of the public to continue to patronize their retail outlets across the country.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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