…Insists NNPC Ltd Did Not Import Products This Year
…Says Importation is a Standard Industry Practice Worldwide
Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of NNPC Ltd, has dismissed speculations about the presence of substandard fuel in the country, describing the claims as unfortunate drama and a misleading marketing tactic.
Speaking at a fireside chat during the 60th Nigeria Mining & Geosciences Society (NMGS) Conference in Abuja, Kyari asserted that neither NNPC Ltd nor the country has any issues concerning the quality of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol.
“The talk around fuel quality is unfortunate and a very bad marketing practice. It’s all drama and entertainment, and as we know, drama has a way of entertaining the people,” Kyari stated.
He further emphasized that PMS quality standards vary across countries, explaining that no two nations maintain identical specifications. Citing an example from Europe, he noted that oxygenates (fuel additives) must be introduced into PMS to prevent fuel from solidifying in vehicle tanks. However, in Nigeria, the same additive would turn to water upon exposure to air, highlighting the differences in regulatory requirements from one country to another.
Kyari reassured the public that Nigeria’s regulatory agencies, including the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the Nigerian Midstream & Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), are responsible for ensuring all imported products meet required specifications.
“I believe these regulatory agencies are doing their job. They have not reported the presence of substandard products in the country,” he told the audience.
The NNPC boss also disclosed that legal and security measures are being taken to hold those responsible for spreading misleading information accountable. He warned that such false claims not only impact NNPC Ltd but also damage the country’s reputation.
Addressing reports that NNPC Ltd imported 200 million litres of fuel in February 2024, Kyari categorically debunked the claims.
“These are just lies because we didn’t even import products within that window when the report was published. All the mischief about aligning this fictitious importation with so-called low-quality fuel is baseless,” he stated.
He clarified that importation is a standard global industry practice, noting that even petroleum-rich nations such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE occasionally import refined products. He further explained that Nigeria has also supplied petroleum products to other countries, underscoring that such transactions do not indicate a lack of refining capacity.
Earlier in his address, Kyari urged members of the Nigerian Mining & Geosciences Society (NMGS) to embrace new technologies and foster a culture of continuous innovation to maximize the country’s natural resources and generate increased revenue.
The conference, themed “Transformation of the Mineral, Energy, Water, and Construction Sectors through Innovation,” focused on discussions surrounding mining industry reforms, policy enhancements, and the broader role of geoscience in national development.
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