Business

Bad Petrol: Shortage worsens as filling stations run out of stock, close doors

Published

5 years ago

February 13, 2022

Lagos, Abuja worst hit
NMDPRC issues directive to depots, stations
FCCPC moves to sanction importers, distributors

FRESH indications, emerged, yesterday, that shortage of petrol in the country has worsened as many filling stations decided to shut their doors against motorists and other buyers in Abuja as well as Lagos, Oyo and Ogun states.

Sunday Vanguard learnt that while many of the stations had exhausted their stock of quality petrol, others still had commercial stock of the bad product which utilisation, last week, culminated in the damage of many automobiles, generators and other equipment.

Some marketers, who pleaded anonymity, said it will take a while to bring in new product, especially because of limited space for storage.

According to the marketers, the bad product will have to be properly evacuated from depots and filling stations to authorised places before the new product could be moved into the domestic market.

Meanwhile, the situation has culminated in the emergence of illegal or black market, whose operators were seen hawking the product at between N200 and N350 per litre, depending on location in Lagos and environs.

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NMDPRA orders depots, stations

Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, created to regulate operations under the newly established Petroleum Industry Act, PIA, responding to the development, yesterday, ordered all depots and filling stations to open their doors for inspection.

The inspection and quantification of the bad product will be carried out by various committees, including technical and commercial, established during the recent stakeholders engagement in Lagos.

FCCPC spits fire

Also yesterday, in line with Federal Government’s promise to deal with those behind the bad petrol, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC, commenced moves targeted at bringing importers and distributors of the product to book.

In a statement obtained by Sunday Vanguard, Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive, FCCPC, Babatunde Irukera, noted that its intervention was in consonance with Sections 17(a), (h), (i), (l), (t), (w), (y), (z), 131(a), (b), (d), 132, 133, 136 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018; and Sections 164(5)(b) and 210 of the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021.

Irukera stated: “The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has become aware that a certain but limited quantity of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) that does not comply with established, applicable, and prevailing standards has been distributed and sold in certain parts of the country.

“The Commission in the process of its initial investigative assessment understands that consumers who purchased fuel that constitutes part of this consignment have experienced technical difficulties and or damage to their vehicles or other relevant equipment/machinery.

“In furtherance of its investigation; and pursuant to relevant laws, the Commission is currently engaging multiple regulators and entities relevant and involved in the PMS distribution value chain.

“The purpose of ongoing engagements include, addressing hardship or difficulties consumers may experience with respect to withdrawal of the implicated products from the market, securing assurance and promoting consumer confidence that supply constrains are addressed and will not persist and ensuring that the regulator’s recall effort under applicable laws and regulations including Petroleum Industry Act, 2021 and Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018 (FCCPA) sufficiently excludes continuing distribution of the implicated product.

“It also includes encouraging and promoting additional and robust mechanisms to prevent reoccurrence and developing a meaningful and transparent mechanism to address demonstrated injury to affected consumers.

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“The Commission’s engagement with the key and relevant regulators/entities involved has been constructive and productive. The Commission commends this responsiveness and prioritisation of ensuring continuity of supply, containment of implicated product and sensitivity to consumer dissatisfaction and inconvenience.

“The Commission is continuing engagement, particularly with respect to a reasonable and acceptable mechanism to mitigate demonstrated injury and or loss experienced by consumers. The Commission intends to provide additional information as this rather dynamic situation evolves.”

Blame game

In a related development, Oando Plc, yesterday, joined other companies to deny its alleged involvement in the importation of the bad product.

In a statement obtained by Sunday Vanguard, the company stated: “Following media reports listing Oando as one of four importers that supplied methanol-blended Premium Motor Spirits (PMS) into the country, we hereby

state that Oando did not import and supply PMS that was adulterated or substandard.

“The PMS supplied by Oando met Nigeria’s import specification. We are committed to working assiduously with the NNPC and industry to identify the root cause(s) of the subsequent contamination of the PMS supplied.

“We want to assure the public that Oando as a responsible corporate citizen would not partake in the importation, distribution, or marketing of substandard petroleum products.”

Previously, MRS and Emadeb had refuted that they were among marketers that imported the bad fuel into the country.

A statement released by the lead partner, Emadeb Energy Services had explained that importation of the contaminated PMS was executed by a “member of the consortium.”

“Therefore, the blanket claims made against the consortium are misleading and contradict the actual events that happened; they do not fully reflect and/or represent what transpired. It is important to inform the public of these facts and provide clarifications relating to delivery of the said contaminated PMS to the country,”the statement said.

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‘’We also deem it necessary to protect our image as we have invested a lot in building our respective brands in the industry”.

The company, which alleged that Brittania-U Nigeria Limited (Brittania-U) was the sole supplier of the 90,000MT of PMS delivered via MT Torm Hilde, had added: “At the formation of the consortium in May 2021, Brittania-U refused to execute the Service and Consortium Agreement submitted in fulfillment of the award of the DSDP Contract.”

On its part, MRS had claimed that the petrol brought into its facilities was imported by Duke that works for Government.

Buhari, Reps reaction

President Muhammadu Buhari and the House of Representatives had, last week, talked tough over the bad fuel, saying those behind the importation must be held accountable.

Meanwhile, a source close to Brittania-U told Sunday Vanguard that the company is innocent of the allegations.

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Abuja Demand Rises as Jetour Brings X70 Plus Experience to FCT

Published

9 hours ago

September 20, 2026

Trends Admin

Abuja Demand Rises as Jetour Brings X70 Plus Experience to FCT

Jetour Nigeria is taking its seven-seater X70 Plus SUV to Abuja as rising interest from motorists in the Federal Capital Territory and neighbouring states fuels the brand’s latest push to deepen its presence across Nigeria.

The X70 Plus will headline the Jetour Experience Abuja, holding from September 22 to 24 at Maha Event Centre, Area 8, Garki, following the strong response recorded during the Lagos edition, where motorists turned out for test drives and made enquiries about Jetour models.

The Abuja activation is designed to give prospective buyers direct access to the X70 Plus and other models, with opportunities to test-drive the vehicles, engage product specialists and experience their technology, safety and comfort features.

The X70 Plus is positioned as a family-oriented SUV, offering seven-seat capacity and a range of features targeted at customers seeking comfort, technology and practicality.

The SUV is available with 1.5-litre and 1.6-litre turbocharged engine options, with outputs of up to 145kW and 290Nm of torque, paired with a dual-clutch automatic transmission.

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Its safety equipment includes front, side and curtain airbags, Vehicle Stability Control, Hill-Start Assist, Hill-Descent Control and a 360-degree panoramic camera with 2D and 3D viewing modes. Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems are also available.

Inside the cabin, the X70 Plus features a 10.23-inch LCD touchscreen, dual-zone climate control with air purification, wireless charging, a panoramic sunroof and an eight-speaker audio system.

Jetour Nigeria, the authorised distributor of the brand in the country, currently operates through seven accredited dealers: Elizade Nigeria Limited, Mandilas Autos, R.T. Briscoe Motors, Germaine Auto Centre, Kojo Motors, Tab Autos Limited and New Era Auto Vehicle Services Limited.

The company said the dealer network supports vehicle sales, genuine spare-parts supply and after-sales services across the country.

Jetour has also received recent industry recognition in Nigeria, including Fastest Growing Auto Brand by the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association and Auto Brand of the Year at the Nigeria Transport Lecture and Awards.

The Abuja experience is expected to provide prospective customers in the FCT and surrounding states with direct access to the X70 Plus and other Jetour models as the brand continues its national market expansion.

Abuja Demand Rises as Jetour Brings X70 Plus Experience to FCT

Auto

Jetour Unleashes F700 Hybrid Pickup as Abuja Experience Begins Tuesday

Published

1 day ago

September 19, 2026

Trends Admin

Jetour Unleashes F700 Hybrid Pickup as Abuja Experience Begins Tuesday

Jetour is taking its premium pickup game to Abuja as the automaker prepares to showcase the powerful F700 hybrid pickup at the Jetour Experience Abuja, bringing a blend of electrified performance, luxury and rugged off-road capability to the Federal Capital Territory.

The three-day event, scheduled for September 22 to 24 at Maha Event Centre, Area 8, Garki, comes on the heels of strong reception in Lagos and is expected to draw commercial fleet operators, corporate buyers and luxury pickup enthusiasts keen to experience Jetour’s latest hybrid workhorse.

Following high-impact reception in Lagos, the Abuja activation, which holds at Maha Event Centre, Area 8, Garki, answers massive demand from commercial fleet leaders, corporate buyers, and luxury truck enthusiasts eager for an electrified workhorse built without compromise.

Jetour’s rapid ascendancy as Nigeria’s Fastest Growing Auto Brand and Auto Brand of the Year is backed by nationwide after-sales infrastructure, certified technicians, and genuine parts availability through its authorized dealer network including Elizade Nigeria Limited, New Era AutoVehicle Services, Germaine Auto Centre, Kojo Motors, Mandilas Autos, R.T. Briscoe and
Tab Autos.

The Ultimate Hybrid Powerhouse
Engineered on the heavy-duty platform of Jetour’s G700 luxury SUV, the double-cab F700 redefines utility.

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Stretching nearly 5.5 meters, it commands road presence via a high-tensile ladder-frame chassis and independent double-wishbone suspension engineered for punishing industrial demands and refined highway cruising alike.

Under the hood lies the revolutionary Kunpeng Super Hybrid CDM-O powertrain—pairing dual high-output electric drive motors with an onboard turbo petrol generator that seamlessly feeds the battery pack on the fly, eliminating range anxiety entirely.

According to Jetour, an advanced CATL 800V architecture surges the battery from 20% to 80% in just 10 minutes, achieving ultra-fast charging.

The vehicle delivers a monumental combined cruising range of up to 1,300 km on a single charge and tank, and achieves exceptional fuel economy, sipping as low as 1.39 L/100 km.

Conquering Terrain in First-Class Luxury
Engineered for unforgiving terrain, the F700 deploys Jetour’s intelligent XWD all-wheel-drive system governed by front, center, and rear mechanical differential locks.

With 9.5 inches of ground clearance and an imposing 900 mm water-wading capability, the F700 glides through deep water crossings, unpaved construction corridors, and rocky trails effortlessly.

Inside, the cabin abandons utilitarian compromises for bespoke executive refinement, featuring
35.4-inch Panoramic “Sky Screen” dominating the dash architecture.

Also, it features the 15.6-inch Central Command Touchscreen for seamless telematics and vehicle dynamics, Sculpted Luxury Finishes combining aviation-grade acoustic insulation, premium materials, and active driver-assist safety suites.

The three-day Jetour Experience Abuja will feature live technical walkarounds, rugged dynamic tests, and hands-on driving trials at the capital.

Jetour Unleashes F700 Hybrid Pickup as Abuja Experience Begins Tuesday

Auto

26th Abuja Motor Fair: NADDC, BKG Set November 10 Date for Auto Industry Show

Published

2 days ago

September 18, 2026

Trends Admin

26th Abuja Motor Fair: NADDC, BGK Set November 10 Date for Auto Industry Showcase

The National Automotive Design and Development Council and BKG Exhibitions Ltd have unveiled plans for the 26th Abuja International Motor Fair, scheduled to hold from November 10 to 13, 2026, at Eagle Square, Abuja.

The four-day event is expected to bring together major players across the automotive value chain, such as vehicle manufacturers and assemblers, component producers, financial institutions, technology firms, transport operators, logistics companies, development partners, investors and government agencies.

A three-day conference will also feature prominently at the fair, with the theme, “Driving Nigeria’s Automotive Transformation: Policy, Production, and Prosperity.”

A statement on Friday by BKG Exhibitions said the conference would examine key issues shaping the development of Nigeria’s automotive industry, with speakers drawn from various sectors of the industry and related fields.

Chairman of the Organising Committee and Managing Director of BKG Exhibitions, Mr Ifeanyi Agwu, said the conference would feature a keynote address by the Director-General of NADDC, Otunba Joseph Osanipin, alongside presentations and speeches by leading stakeholders in the automotive and transport sectors.

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According to him, the fair will provide participants with opportunities to engage industry leaders, investors, government officials and business executives while exploring emerging vehicles, technologies, products and investment opportunities.

Other highlights of the event are the Nigeria Automotive Excellence Awards Night, Abuja Automotive Road Show, Ultimate Test-Drive experience, exotic automobile displays and the Automotive and Future Mobility Arena.

Visitors will also have access to professional advice, technical papers and a showcase of some of Abuja’s finest cuisine.

The Abuja International Motor Fair has, over the years, evolved into one of Nigeria’s major automotive exhibitions and platforms for industry and policy dialogue.

The organisers said this year’s edition would further strengthen the platform’s role in promoting investment, innovation, local production and sustainable growth across Nigeria’s automotive sector.