From Joseph Asegba, Yola
The Management of the Dangote refinery distanced itself from the controversial fuel claimed bought from a filling station owned by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, not from their refinery.
The management who spoke to Sunday PUNCH on condition of anonymity, said Nigerians testified to the quality of the Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol) from the Dangote refinery because they knew its difference from fuel from other sources.
However, on Saturday, the NNPCL denied the claims that it sold substandard petrol with a high burn rate.
In a statement by its spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, the NNPCL said it was reacting to a viral video claiming that its petrol does not last long in fuel tanks.
Reports have it that a video had surfaced online where a content creator claimed he bought a litre of Dangote petrol from the MRS Filling Station at Alapere, Lagos, at N925 and the same litre from the NNPCL at Ojodu Berger at the rate of N945.
He accordingly claimed that, after pouring the fuel into separate new generators. The one running on the NNPCL fuel stopped after 17 minutes, while the Dangote petrol lasted for 33 minutes.
The controversy crept up as a result of a video that went viral as many Nigerians shared experiences of using fuel from both dealers. As NNPCL said the petrol purchased from its filling station at Ojodu Berger was from the Dangote refinery.
The statement also said, “The NNPCL strongly refutes the false and misleading allegations made in a viral video circulating online, which claims that NNPC fuel does not last. This assertion is baseless and entirely unfounded, originating from unverified and amateur research that lacks credibility, accuracy, and professional oversight”.
The company emphasised that its fuel “is carefully formulated with one of the best compositions, ensuring optimal efficiency, durability, and environmental sustainability for consumers.” Stressed that a significant percentage of the PMS sold at its stations in Lagos was sourced from the Dangote refinery.
NNPCL declared “It is important to emphasise that a significant percentage of Premium Motor Spirit sold at NNPC retail stations in Lagos where this deceptive video was created is sourced from the Dangote Refinery, a strategic partner in promoting local production and energy security. Dangote refinery adheres to strict industry standards, guaranteeing the quality of petroleum products supplied to our consumers”.
“Henceforth, NNPC Ltd will take firm legal action against individuals or groups who intentionally spread falsehoods about our brand and operations. Those engaged in such malicious activities will be held fully accountable under the law”.
The energy firm urged the public to disregard such “fabricated content” and rely on verified sources for accurate information, adding that it remained steadfast in its mission to ensure fuel availability, affordability, and quality for all Nigerians while maintaining global industry standards.
However, sources from the Dangote refinery wondered why the NNPCL deliberately dragged Dangote refinery into the matter.
Some officials disclosed that not all NNPCL fuel emanated from the Dangote refinery, especially as the corporation had its refineries while still importing fuel from other countries. Adding that, the NNPC is trying to be clever by saying the fuel is from the Dangote refinery and giving ‘fake accolades’ at the same time.
The official asked, “It was reported that our PMS burn rate is better than any other one, and everybody has been talking about it for months on end. So, why stylishly dragging Dangote into the issue?”. Also, a source close to the Company told Sunday PUNCH that the NNPCL might be trying to drag the Dangote refinery into a controversy.
“The NNPCL may be trying to drag the refinery into a controversy, but I don’t think that is necessary; they should just be ignored. The NNPCL is just trying to be smart. They’ve been importing. Have they come out to say, no, we are not importing it? So, what are we talking about? They also have their refineries. We don’t sell substandard fuel, and Nigerians know that.
“We can’t respond to such a press release. When something is good, it is good. No doubt about it. Everybody is confirming that. Everybody can testify to it,” the official submitted.