Dirty fuel: CSO asks NMDPRA, NNPC to resign within 7 days

Mr. Farouk Ahmed, the chief executive officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), has been asked to resign just four months after being appointed, allegedly for his role in the importation of adulterated Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) currently in circulation in the country. 

Mr. Mele Kyari, the group managing director of the newly reorganized Nigeria National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, has also been ordered to retire within seven days for incompetence.  

In a statement issued on Friday by its national coordinator, Mr. Augustine Richard-Adie, and the chairman of the Board of Trustees, Chief Philip Agbese, a pro-Nigeria civil society organization known as Nigeria First, said the inactions of both heads of the organizations have caused Nigerians untold hardship and embarrassment to President Muhammad Buhari. 

“The two CEOs of the aforesaid agencies, both of which are PIA products, have been named as individuals whose carelessness is to blame for the current plight of Nigerians”. 

“Importation of contaminated fuel has clearly caused more harm than benefit, and these people should quit immediately.”  

“They must go quickly to avoid additional humiliation for the President and to preserve his legacy,” the statement stated. 

The organization expressed regret that the Buhari government, which has healed gasoline lines in the previous six years, would be tarnished just as the President was ready to leave office. 

“As a result, we have given them a seven-day ultimatum to quit office and save the President any more humiliation,” the statement said. 

At separate press appearances on Tuesday, both the GMD of NNPC and the CEO of NMDPRA acknowledged the importation of adulterated PMS into the nation by several oil merchants.  

Methanol was discovered in four fuel cargoes imported by MRS, Emadeb/Hyde/AY Maikifi/Brittania-U Consortium, Oando, and Duke Oil, according to the GMD NNPC.  

“Petrol containing methanol proportions beyond Nigeria’s criteria was identified in the supply chain, Methanol is a normal addition in petrol and is generally blended in an appropriate quantity.” the NMDPRA chief said on Tuesday