Following the importation of adulterated fuel into Nigeria, which has resulted in a severe shortage of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, in many cities, some stakeholders have called on the Federal Government to accept responsibility by compensating those whose vehicles, generators, and other valuables were damaged.
Over 100 million liters of fuel recently imported into the country were said to be tainted, with high methanol levels exceeding Nigeria’s specifications.
Long lines formed at gas stations in major cities across the country as a result of the development.
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President Muhammadu Buhari has called for a thorough investigation into the matter in order to identify those who were involved in the importation.
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, and other related agencies blamed the unlucky development on the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC.
Meanwhile, Mele Kyari, the NNPC Group Managing Director, blamed four oil companies: MRS, Emadeb, Brittania-U, Oando, and Duke Oil.
However, with the exception of Duke Oil, the other three accused companies have all denied the allegation in writing, adding to the confusion in the effort to identify the shippers of the contaminated fuel.
Some vehicles, particularly in the nation’s capital, are already parked as a result of the subpar imported fuel.
Mr. Andrew Nwoye, a taxi driver who spoke to our correspondent, said his car’s fuel pump was damaged two days ago after the vehicle consumed a large amount of the toxic fuel.
On Thursday, I awoke to find that my car would not start.
I did everything I could with my limited knowledge, but it still wasn’t responding until I called an expert, who informed me that my fuel pump was malfunctioning.
This government has murdered us.” My vehicle would have been fine if it hadn’t been for its faulty fuel.
Aside from the fuel pump, I’ve spent a lot of money on repairs to the car, including my generator.”
Mr. Ayuba, a tricycle (Keke napep) driver, also stated that since the fuel shortage began, he and others have been servicing their vehicles more frequently than before.
“I just noticed that my ‘Keke’ isn’t sounding as good as it used to; I was advised to service it two days ago, and the same thing has started again,” he lamented.
Another commercial driver, Amos Akogwu, told our correspondent that he had abandoned his vehicle, which he described as his only source of income in a mechanic village, due to several faults caused by tainted fuel.
According to some stakeholders, the Federal Government must compensate Nigerians for the harm caused by contaminated fuel.
Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, National Coordinator of the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, stated that oil importers must engage in “constructive dialogues with government and the victims of their bad fuel on issues of compensation to stave off huge legal damages that may arise if the victims are forced to go to court.”
He urged the Federal Government to work out and enforce systematic compensations for damages currently resulting from Nigerians’ use of toxic fuel, adding that “defaulting companies should be dragged to court by the government if they fail to compensate their victims.”
Similarly, Goodluck Egwu Ibem, President General of the Coalition of Southern and Middle Belt Youth Leaders Assembly, COSMBYLA, stated that the Federal Government must be held accountable for the damage caused by contaminated fuel.
Ibem, who believes the government should either pay for the repairs or replace the damaged vehicles, believes those involved in the importation of substandard fuel should be arrested and prosecuted.
“The Federal Government must accept full responsibility for the damage caused by the bad fuel,” he said.
They can’t blame anyone because it’s their responsibility to import the product.”
The Federal Government, through the NNPC, must pay damages for the havoc their actions caused Nigerians; government officials must be forced to pay the amount Nigerians spent to repair their vehicles, or better yet, the FG should replace those vehicles to alleviate the owners’ suffering.
“We also want those involved in these criminal activities to be arrested and prosecuted, and those who need to be fired or suspended to face appropriate punishment.”
