The Federal Government through the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has apologised to Nigerians for the recent fuel scarcity in the country as well as the “dirty-looking fuel” which was sold to customers at a filling station.
The government said that it discovered exceptionally high quantities of methanol in one of its public sources, but that it had been taken and isolated from other supplies, according to TheCable.
The NMDPRA stated in a statement released on Tuesday, February 8, 2022, that the supply of Methanol is in restricted supply.
“To ensure vehicular and equipment safety, the limited quantity of the impacted product has been isolated and withdrawn from the market, including the loaded trucks in transit
“Our technical team in conjunction with the NNPC Limited and other industry stakeholders, will continue to monitor and ensure quality petroleum products are adequately supplied and distributed nationwide.
“The source supplier has been identified and further commercial and appropriate actions shall be taken by the authority and the NNPC Limited. The NNPC Limited and all oil marketing companies have been directed to sustain sufficient distribution of petrol in all retail outlets nationwide.”
Methanol is a common component in gasoline and is normally combined in a safe amount.
In response, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has urged Nigerians to refrain from panic buying and promised that new products will be available within the next two days.
“I can assure you that there is effort to clean up the mistake there is no reason for panic buying, new products will be supplied to affected filling stations.”
