An energy consumers’ advocate, Abdulrahman Sani Ibrahim, has accused the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) of failing to take decisive action against the alleged importation of adulterated petroleum products into Nigeria.
Ibrahim made the allegation in a statement issued on Friday, expressing concern over what he described as the continued influx of blended fuel from Dubai and other countries.
According to the energy expert, the alleged circulation of substandard petroleum products poses significant risks to consumers, vehicles, machinery and the wider Nigerian economy.
He claimed that the use of poor-quality fuel could lead to vehicle and equipment damage, higher maintenance and operating costs, as well as increased financial pressure on Nigerians already facing rising energy and transportation expenses.
Ibrahim urged the NMDPRA to strengthen its monitoring and testing mechanisms at ports, depots and filling stations to ensure that imported petroleum products meet the required quality standards.
He argued that the issue had gone beyond regulatory warnings, insisting that stronger enforcement was needed to protect consumers.
“The NMDPRA knows the concerns that have been raised about the continuous importation of blended products from Dubai and other countries, and it has even warned that marketers involved in such practices could be denied petroleum supplies,” he stated.
He added that allowing such activities to continue despite regulatory awareness would amount to a failure in the agency’s responsibility to safeguard Nigerian consumers.
The allegation comes amid an ongoing debate over petroleum product imports and domestic refining capacity.
Recall that Dangote Refinery had previously criticised the NMDPRA over the continued issuance of import licences to petroleum marketers, linking the development to the rise in fuel imports.
The refinery had also threatened to halt the sale of petroleum products to importers.
