Adulterated fuel: Demand for compensation heightens as Nigerians count losses

Following the importation of adulterated fuel into the country, which has resulted in severe shortages of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, in many cities, some stakeholders have called on the federal government to shoulder the blame by compensating those whose vehicles, generators, and other valuables were damaged.

Over 100 million liters of fuel recently imported into the country were said to be adulterated, with high methanol levels exceeding Nigeria’s specifications.

Long lines formed at gas stations in major cities across the country as a result of the development. President Muhammadu Buhari has demanded a full investigation into the matter in order to identify those who were involved in the importation.

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, and other related agencies had blamed the unfortunate development on the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC.

Meanwhile, the NNPC Group Managing Director, Mele Kyari shifted the blame on four oil companies: MRS, Emadeb, Brittania-U, Oando and Duke Oil.

However, with the exception of Duke Oil, the other three accused companies have all in writing, denied the allegation, thus creating more confusion in the drive to unmask shippers of the bad fuel.

It was revealed that some vehicles, particularly in the nation’s capital are already parking up following the effects of the substandard imported fuel.

A taxi driver, Mr Andrew Nwoye, who spoke to our correspondent, said the fuel pump of his car got damaged two days ago after the vehicle consumed much of the toxic fuel.

“I just woke up on Thursday and discovered that my car could not start. I did everything I could in my own little knowledge but it was still not responding until I called an expert who informed me that my fuel pump has issues.

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“This government has killed us. I’m sure that if not for their bad fuel, my vehicle would have been intact. Apart from the fuel pump, I have spent a lot of money on fixing the car, including my generator”.

A tricycle (Keke napep) driver, Mr Ayuba also said himself and others have been servicing their vehicles more frequently than before since the fuel issues began.

“I just noticed recently that my ‘Keke’ does not sound very well like before; I was advised to service it two days ago and the same thing has started again,” he lamented.

Another commercial driver, Amos Akogwu told our correspondent that he has abandoned his vehicle which he referred to as his only source of income in a mechanic village due to several faults emanating from the adulterated fuel.

On Sunday, some stakeholders said the Federal Government should compensate Nigerians for the harm caused by the bad fuel.

The National Coordinator of the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko said there is need for the oil importers to enter into “constructive dialogues with government and the victims of their bad fuel on issues of compensations to stave off huge legal damages that may come up if the victims are forced to go to court”.

He called on the Federal Government, to as a matter of importance, work out and enforce systematic compensations of damages currently resulting from the use of the toxic fuel by Nigerians, adding that “the defaulting companies should be dragged to court by the government if they fail to compensate their victims”.

In a similar vein, Goodluck Egwu Ibem, President General of the Coalition of Southern and Middle Belt Youth Leaders Assembly, COSMBYLA, stated that the Federal Government must be held accountable for the damages caused by the tainted fuel.

Ibem, who said the government should either pay for the fixing of the damaged vehicles or replace them with new ones, said those involved in the importation of the substandard fuel must be arrested and prosecuted.

He said, “The Federal Government must take full responsibility for the damages being caused by the bad fuel. They can’t blame anybody because it is their duty to import the product.

“The Federal Government, through the NNPC, must pay damages for the havoc their actions caused Nigerians; the government officials must be forced to pay the amount Nigerians used to fix their vehicles, or better still, the FG should replace those vehicles to alleviate the suffering imposed on the owners.

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“We also want those involved in these criminal activities to be arrested and prosecuted, while those that need to be sacked or suspended should be given appropriate punishment for their actions”.

Attempts to reach Kyari, the NNPC boss, for comment on the development were unsuccessful yesterday, despite Mike Mukwuzi, the NNPC media unit’s inability to take his calls.