NNPC CEO Mele Kyari denies claims of sub-standard fuel in Nigeria
The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd., Mr. Mele Kyari, has strongly dismissed ongoing discussions about the existence of sub-standard fuel in Nigeria, calling it “unfortunate drama” and “bad marketing practice.”
Speaking at a fireside chat during the 60th Nigeria Mining & Geosciences Society (NMGS) Conference in Abuja, Kyari reassured the public that the country’s Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, meets all quality standards.
Kyari emphasized that claims about fuel quality issues are misleading, stating that such narratives are merely for entertainment.
“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,” he said.
The NNPC boss explained that fuel quality standards vary from country to country. For instance, in Europe, oxygenate additives are required in PMS to prevent damage to car tanks, while the same additives would turn to water when exposed to air in Nigeria.
He clarified that while specific fuel regulations are mandated in different countries, Nigeria follows its own set of quality standards, which are enforced by regulatory bodies such as the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the Nigerian Midstream & Downstream Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
Kyari further assured that these agencies are diligently ensuring that all fuel products in the country meet the necessary specifications and standards.
“I believe these regulatory agencies are doing their job. They have not come back to tell anyone that we have substandard products in the country,” he added.
He also responded to accusations about a purported 200 million liters of sub-standard fuel imported in February, calling such reports “lies.” Kyari clarified that no such importation occurred during that period, labeling the claims as baseless and without merit.
“These are just lies, because we didn’t even import products within that window that the report was published. All the mischief about aligning this fictitious importation with the so-called low-quality fuel are just baseless,” he stated.
Kyari acknowledged the challenges Nigerians may face but cautioned against spreading falsehoods, particularly when it comes to business matters. He affirmed that NNPC Ltd. has taken necessary legal and security measures to address such misinformation and prevent further damage to the country’s reputation.
Earlier in his speech, Kyari urged members of the Nigerian Mining & Geosciences Society to embrace technological innovation and foster a culture of continuous improvement to maximize Nigeria’s natural resources and enhance national revenue.
The conference, themed “Transformation of the Mineral, Energy, Water, and Construction Sectors through Innovation,” focused on discussions around mining industry reforms, policy improvements, and the role of geoscience in national development.
