On Wednesday, July 3, the Senate expressed alarm about the cheap gasoline (PMS) and diesel (AGO) that are overflowing the Nigerian market.

Senator Asuquo Ekpeyong brought up a pressing matter, referencing a report dated June 16, 2024. It was discovered that refineries shipped 660 kilotons of diesel to Lome, Togo, to be distributed to markets in West Africa, particularly Nigeria. He pointed out that this diesel’s quality, especially in terms of its sulfur level and flash points, did not match Nigerian requirements.

According to Ekpeyong, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has encountered difficulties enforcing the new diesel import criteria that are based on the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) of 2021.

As a result, the Senate established an ad hoc committee to look into the importation of

of hazardous petroleum products and the improper disposal in Nigeria of low-grade diesel. Ekpeyong added that even if there is sufficient capacity for local production, the NMDPRA still grants import permits for diesel and jet fuel.

Angry lawmakers referred to the state of affairs as sabotage and a failure to achieve the objectives of the Petroleum Industry Act. The Senate insisted on the prosecution of individuals in charge of these unlawful actions.

Along with other legislators, Senate President Godswill Akpabio emphasized that the PIA’s concerns should be examined for clarification rather than assigning blame.

The Senate leader is in charge of the ad hoc committee, which has three weeks to report back to the Senate.