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Fuel Scarcity In Lagos Caused By Withdrawal Of Petrol With Excess Methanol – FG
The panic buy across Lagos was sparked by the withdrawal of about 80 million litres of adulterated petrol in circulation.
According to FG, the adulterated fuel contains higher quantity of methanol that was far above Nigeria’s specification.
Methanol is a regular additive in petrol, and it is usually blended to acceptable quantity.
Adding methanol to petrol allows the fuel to burn more completely, thus reducing air pollution.
Since the beginning of the week, motorists in Lagos have resulted to panic buying as thousands line up for hours to fill up their tank amid news of shortage of fuel at the petrol stations.
Responding to the resurgence of fuel queues in Lagos, the Federal Government says that the fuel scarcity at filling stations was caused by the recall of about 80 million litres of adulterated petrol in circulation.
According to the CEO of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Agency, Mr. Farouk Ahmed, the adulterated fuel were recalled after it was discovered that methanol quantity in the fuel was above Nigeria’s specification.
Adulterated Fuel
Methanol, a regular additive in gasoline (petrol), allows the fuel to burn more completely, thus reducing air pollution.
“Methanol is a regular additive in petrol and is usually blended to acceptable quantity,” Mr Ahmed said at a press briefing in Abuja.
“To ensure vehicular and equipment safety, the limited quantity of the impacted product has been isolated from the market, including those loaded in trucks.
“Our technical team, in conjunction with NNPC and other industry stakeholders will continue to monitor and ensure quality products are adequately supplied and distributed nationwide. So there is no need to panic.
“The sole supplier has been identified and further commercial and appropriate actions shall be taken by the authorities and the NNPC.
Following the recent fuel shortages, Mr Ahmed said that NNPC Limited and oil marketers have been directed to ensure robust supply of petroleum products.
“The NNPC Limited and all marketing companies have been directed to sustain sufficient distribution of petrol products in all retail outlets nationwide to avoid any scarcity.
“Meanwhile, the NNPC has intensified efforts at increasing the supply of petroleum products in the market in order to bridge any unforeseen supply gap.”
