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Withdrawal of petrol with methanol cause of scarcity

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As long queues surfaced across Lagos and Abuja yesterday over sudden fuel scarcity, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has blamed the situation on the withdrawal of petrol discovered to have contained methanol above Nigeria’s specification.

According  to a statement by the agency yesterday, the affected petrol was isolated and withdrawn from the market, including the loaded trucks in transit.

Methanol is a regular additive in petrol and usually blended in an acceptable quantity.

NMDPRA explained that the source supplier has been identified and appropriate actions would be taken.

The agency said its technical team, in conjunction with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Ltd and other industry stakeholders, would “monitor and ensure that quality petroleum products are adequately supplied and distributed nationwide.”

It revealed that the NNPC Ltd and all oil marketing companies had been directed to sustain sufficient distribution of petrol in all retail outlets nationwide.

The NMDPRA said NNPC had intensified efforts at increasing the supply of petrol into the market “in order to bridge any unforeseen supply gap.”

Meanwhile, the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, (IPMAN) has warned motorists against panic buying, saying petroleum products will be available from today.

Its Vice President, Abubakar Maigandi, stated this yesterday as a guest on Arise TV news programme, Newsday.  He said: “The government and the NNPC is (sic) on it. “There is no way we can sell those contaminated because it will affect motorists. But…car owners should stop panic-buying. By God’s grace, today or tomorrow, the product will be available nationwide.”

He gave assurance that Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) wasworking seriously to see that they get the correct product so that the marketers wouldcontinue loading.

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“Already, we told all our marketers to stand by the various depots that they are loading. Immediately when we start receiving the uncontaminated products, the products will be available in most of our filling stations nationwide,” he said.

Maigandi did not mention who was to be held responsible for the contaminated petroleum products in circulation. He, however, said “IPMAN buys its product through NNPC and private depots. In every business sometimes, “there must an issue and this has been already understanding (sic) without many damages,” he said.

Also IPMAN National Operations Controller, Mr. Mike Osatuyi,  disclosed that the contaminated product is being mopped-up, a development that has caused disruption in the distribution chain.

‘‘The impact is quickly felt in Lagos because of its huge demand and consumption of petrol. Any disruption in the distribution chain is almost an immediate reaction unlike what obtains in other parts of the country.

“The NNPC is doing its best at this critical time and we believe the effort will yield a positive action soon. I implore Nigerians to be patient and not engage in any form of panic buying,’’ he said.

Other marketers who spoke to Daily Sun in confidence for fear of being sanctioned by the regulator confirmed that there was indeed off-spec petrol in circulation.

The off-spec or contaminated petrol according to the marketers is petrol laden with graded water and already in the tanks of some major oil marketers which included; Ardova, MRS and Total with independent marketers such as NIPCO also involved.

They explained that since NNPC is the sole importer of petrol, they should be held liable and made to explain to Nigerians what happened.

However, a reliable source in one of the agencies told Daily Sun that the contaminated petrol came in with some quantity of methanol and ethanol and that when tested, the result came out as being fit for use but when exposed to oxygen, it starts to react. The source added that the exposure to oxygen builds up sludge in the petrol, thus causing damage to car engines.

‘‘I can confirm to you that we have received reports that this contaminated fuel has caused damage to vehicle engines. That is not in doubt.

She explained that both NNPC and the Nigerian Midstream Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) are both aware of this development and are taken steps to ensure that the situation is arrested.

The marketer further told Daily Sun that the volume of the contaminated fuel which made is way into the country is about 200 million litres.

He said the NNPC has given assurance that it would evacuate the contaminated fuel in the tanks of the affected depots while ensuring that they do not suffer any financial loss, they would be reimbursed for the bad product.

‘‘For now, we are not loading out trucks until this issue is addressed in the interest of the consumers. This may take up till next week before it gets resolved. The result of fuel shortage is what has now translated to queues in some filling stations. But the truth is that, not all depots/fuel marketers are affected.

Meanwhile, Some petroleum marketers say fuel scarcity will persist in Lagos and other parts of the country until depots are restocked with adequate and quality products.

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The marketers who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the condition of anonymity equally blamed the current scarcity on the supply of a wrong specification of petrol in some parts of the country.

They noted that the directive to withdraw the product from the market even after distribution to many filling stations across Lagos and other areas created a supply shortfall, thereby, leading to panic buying.

“As we speak, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd is working to ensure that this disruption to the supply chain is addressed as soon as possible.

“However, there is the challenge of logistics and how to compensate those who were supplied with the adulterated products.

“The NNPC is working with marketers on this and once the depots are restocked, tankers will start loading and supply will improve across the country.

“Until we are able to achieve this, queues will remain at the petrol stations because of the panic already created,’’ one of the top marketers told NAN.

An independent petroleum marketer (name withheld) said there had been complaints from some motorists on the fuel quality which made his station to stop selling for now.

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NNPC Profit Rises to N7.2tn Despite Revenue Decline

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NNPC Profit Rises to N7.2tn Despite Revenue Decline
Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bayo Ojulari

NNPC Profit Rises to N7.2tn Despite Revenue Decline

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) recorded a N7.2 trillion profit after tax in 2025, representing a 33.3 per cent increase from the N5.4 trillion it reported in 2024, despite a significant decline in revenue.

NNPC Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, disclosed the figures on Tuesday while presenting the company’s audited financial results for the 2025 financial year in Abuja.

The company recorded N34.5 trillion in revenue in 2025, down from N45.1 trillion reported for 2024. Despite the revenue decline, profit increased as NNPC attributed the stronger bottom-line performance to improved operational efficiency and financial discipline.

Ojulari said lower international crude oil prices and reduced petroleum product sales, following changes in the downstream petroleum market, put pressure on revenue during the year.

However, improved operational performance helped cushion the impact, allowing NNPC profit to rise to N7.2 trillion.

The company also reported N22.33 trillion in taxes, royalties and other remittances to the Federal Government, representing a 39 per cent increase compared with the previous year.

The results also showed stronger production performance across the company’s upstream operations.

According to NNPC, crude oil and condensate production reached an average peak of 1.77 million barrels per day in 2025, the company’s highest level in five years.

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Domestic gas supply also rose to a three-year high of 7.2 billion standard cubic feet per day, reflecting increased gas production and supply to the Nigerian market.

NNPC said the financial performance demonstrated the impact of efforts to improve asset management, increase production and strengthen efficiency across its businesses.

The company’s latest results come as Nigeria continues to seek higher crude oil production, increased domestic gas supply and greater investment across the petroleum value chain.

NNPC, which became a commercial company under the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) in 2022, has been pursuing a strategy focused on increasing oil and gas output, expanding gas monetisation and strengthening its downstream operations.

The company said its future growth strategy would require continued investment in infrastructure, workforce development and operational capabilities.

NNPC also highlighted investments in digital capabilities and artificial intelligence as part of efforts to improve efficiency and strengthen its workforce.

More than 1,000 newly recruited professionals joined the company in 2025 and underwent a one-year internship and training programme before being deployed across its operations.

The company also reported that women now occupy more than 23 per cent of its leadership positions, compared with an industry average of 17 per cent.

The 2025 results come against the backdrop of major changes in Nigeria’s petroleum sector, including the removal of petrol subsidy and increased private-sector participation in fuel supply.

NNPC said the improved profitability had strengthened its capacity to invest in operations, contribute to government revenue and support Nigeria’s energy security.

The company’s performance will continue to be closely watched as Nigeria seeks to raise oil production, expand gas utilisation and increase the economic contribution of the oil and gas sector.

NNPC Profit Rises to N7.2tn Despite Revenue Decline

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Crude Oil Prices Ease After Monday Spike, Fuel Price Cuts Loom

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Crude Oil Prices Ease After Monday Spike, Fuel Price Cuts Loom

 

Global crude oil prices eased on Tuesday after a sharp rally triggered by renewed uncertainty over the possibility of a ceasefire between the United States and Iran, offering some relief to an oil market that has remained highly sensitive to geopolitical developments.

Brent crude, the international benchmark, fell to about $105.04 per barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) declined to $92.24 per barrel, according to Reuters. The prices had risen sharply earlier amid concerns over possible disruptions to Middle East oil supplies.

The latest movement is particularly significant for Nigeria, where changes in international crude prices are increasingly reflected in the domestic petrol market following the removal of petrol subsidy and the operation of a largely market-driven downstream petroleum sector.

Nigeria has in recent weeks witnessed significant fluctuations in petrol prices as international crude prices rose on the back of Middle East tensions.

Dangote Petroleum Refinery, which has become a major source of domestic petrol supply, raised its gantry price to N1,350 per litre earlier in September before subsequently reducing it by N25 to N1,325 per litre as crude prices eased.

The impact has also begun to filter through to some retail outlets. Recent checks showed petrol selling at varying prices across the country, with some marketers reducing pump prices by between N20 and N25 per litre in response to lower wholesale costs.

In Abuja, for instance, MRS reportedly reduced its pump price from N1,395 to N1,370 per litre, while other marketers also adjusted their prices downward.

However, the latest fall in crude prices does not necessarily translate into an immediate or uniform reduction at filling stations.

This is because the price motorists pay is influenced by several factors, including the cost of crude, refining and wholesale prices, transportation and logistics, exchange-rate movements, and the margins of individual marketers.

Nigeria’s dependence on crude oil makes developments in the international petroleum market particularly important to the domestic economy.

Although the Dangote refinery has substantially increased local refining capacity and reduced reliance on imported petrol, international crude prices remain an important factor in determining the cost of feedstock and, ultimately, petroleum products.

The recent volatility has therefore kept motorists, transport operators and businesses on alert, with any sustained decline in crude prices potentially creating room for further reductions in petrol prices.

The latest crude movement followed reports of renewed diplomatic tension between Washington and Tehran.

Iran had reportedly proposed a seven-day truce, but US President Donald Trump rejected the proposal, triggering fresh concerns about the outlook for regional stability and oil supplies.

Crude prices surged during Monday’s trading session before retreating as investors reassessed the immediate supply risks and continued to monitor diplomatic efforts.

For Nigerian consumers, the key issue now is whether the downward movement in international crude prices will be sustained long enough to translate into broader and more significant reductions in petrol prices at filling stations.

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TCAN Honours Dangote Cement Transport for Safety, Logistics Excellence

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TCAN Honours Dangote Cement Transport for Safety, Logistics Excellence

Dangote Cement Transport has been recognised for its contributions to the development of Nigeria’s transport industry, winning the “Champion of Transport Industry Development Award” presented by the Transport Correspondents Association of Nigeria (TCAN).

The award, presented at the third Transport Summit organised by TCAN in Lagos, recognised the company’s efforts in improving road transport operations, strengthening safety standards and deploying more efficient logistics solutions to support industrial activities across the country.

Receiving the award on behalf of the company’s management, the Head of Dangote Cement Transport, Mr Murilo Silva, said the recognition was a reflection of the commitment of the company’s transport workforce, drivers, safety professionals, engineers and operational partners.

Silva said Dangote Cement viewed transportation as a critical component of industrialisation and economic development, stressing that the efficient movement of goods was essential to sustaining production, trade and national economic activities.

“We are deeply honoured to receive this award from the Transport Correspondents Association of Nigeria. This recognition reflects Dangote Cement Transport’s unwavering commitment to developing a safe, efficient and sustainable transport system that supports economic growth and national development,” he said.

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According to him, the company would continue to invest in technology, safety initiatives and operational improvements as part of efforts to raise standards across its transport operations.

“At Dangote Cement, we recognise that transportation is much more than moving goods from one point to another. It is a vital link in the nation’s economic ecosystem,” Silva said.

He added that the company would continue to deploy innovative solutions, strengthen its safety culture and collaborate with relevant stakeholders to improve road transport operations.

Silva dedicated the award to the thousands of drivers, transport professionals, engineers, safety personnel and logistics workers whose daily efforts support the movement of Dangote Cement products across its extensive distribution network.

“This award belongs to our drivers, our safety professionals and every member of our transport team who work tirelessly every day to ensure that our operations are safe, reliable and efficient,” he said.

The recognition underscores Dangote Cement Transport’s investments in fleet management, driver training, road safety programmes and technology-driven logistics solutions aimed at improving operational efficiency and reducing risks associated with road transportation.

The award was presented against the backdrop of growing calls for stronger collaboration between government and private-sector operators to tackle infrastructure and logistics challenges confronting the country’s transport industry.

The TCAN summit also featured discussions on port modernisation, rail integration and technology deployment, with stakeholders emphasising the need for coordinated action to improve freight movement, reduce logistics costs and accelerate innovation across Nigeria’s transport sector.

 

TCAN Honours Dangote Cement Transport for Safety, Logistics Excellence

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