The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) are responsible for certifying imported Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), known widely as petrol, into Nigeria, according to oil marketers. This announcement came in response to allegations made by Dangote Petroleum Refinery, which claimed that dealers were importing off-spec petrol into the country. The refinery warned Pinnacle Oil and Gas Limited, along with other marketers, that the deregulation of Nigeria’s downstream oil sector should not be misused as an excuse for importing substandard products or undermining national interests. In defiance of these accusations, Oil marketers, including Pinnacle’s CEO Robert Dickerman, made it clear that they adhere to stringent standards set by regulatory bodies to ensure only quality products enter the market.
Dickerman stressed that his company had signed a 13-year distribution agreement with Dangote Refinery, reinforcing their commitment to integrity in fuel importation. He highlighted that regulatory bodies oversee the testing and inspections of petroleum products at multiple stages — from the moment the fuel arrives in Lagos’s Atlas Cove to its discharge into tanks after thorough sampling. This multifaceted testing process ensures that only compliant petroleum products are allowed in Nigeria, with both the NMDPRA and SON conducting these assessments. An unnamed major marketer corroborated Dickerman’s account of stringent testing protocols, further asserting that off-spec products couldn’t enter the country without passing multiple checkpoints.
The issue escalated when Dangote Petroleum Refinery accused Pinnacle of attempting to blend off-spec petrol with their high-quality products. In a media address, Dickerman labeled these assertions as defamatory and misleading, solidifying the claim that such actions were inconsistent with the regulatory framework characterizing Nigeria’s oil sector. He emphasized that the partnership with Dangote was founded upon mutual benefit, and that their proposal to distribute refined products via pipelines was met with enthusiastic agreement. The agreement in question, which focused on interconnecting pipelines, was reached two years prior, and the operational elements had been developed collaboratively.
In light of the controversy, Dickerman clarified that the initiative to construct an interconnecting pipeline was not only strategic but also more cost-effective compared to traditional transportation methods such as trucking or shipping. Commencing in 2022, this pipeline project underwent extensive planning, including engineering design and securing necessary permits. Dickerman firmly rejected claims suggesting that Dangote opposed the plan, stating that their collaboration was established on a solid foundation, supportive of both parties’ interests.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) responded to rumors circulating online about selling adulterated fuel, specifically from an NNPC Retail outlet. The company refuted these claims, asserting rigorous quality control measures throughout its operations. NNPC emphasized that they do not dispense fuel in the manner depicted in a viral video and encouraged the public to be wary of misleading narratives propagated by ‘unpatriotic elements’ that could undermine public trust in the state’s petroleum products.
Overall, the ongoing dispute highlights the complexities of Nigeria’s oil sector in the context of deregulation and the need for strict adherence to regulatory standards. Oil marketers, including Pinnacle and larger entities like NNPC, emphasize their commitment to quality and compliance, often meeting scrutiny from various stakeholders in a sector with significant socioeconomic implications. The incident underscores the importance of transparency and collaboration among stakeholders in ensuring that Nigeria’s oil and gas sector operates under integrity, catering to both consumer safety and national interests.
