The Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) has raised concerns that some local refineries are importing crude oil with high sulphur content in an attempt to reduce expenses.
Speaking on Thursday, PETROAN's National Publicity Secretary, Joseph Obele, disclosed that the importation of substandard crude oil began after the Federal Government discontinued the naira-for-crude exchange.
However, he refrained from naming specific refineries, stating that the companies involved are aware of their actions and should take corrective steps.
"Certain refineries are sourcing inferior crude oil to minimize costs. Any crude with a high sulphur content does not meet international quality standards," Obele warned.
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PETROAN has urged refinery operators to focus on importing high-grade crude oil, cautioning that the use of substandard crude could degrade the quality of petroleum products, slow the growth of the oil and gas sector, and harm consumers.
The association also called on the Federal Government and relevant regulatory bodies to enforce strict quality control, including rigorous laboratory testing of imported crude.
Furthermore, PETROAN appealed to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, to review the first phase of the naira-for-crude program to determine the best course of action moving forward.
Addressing concerns over potential fuel price hikes following the policy shift, PETROAN expressed confidence that competition in the downstream sector—bolstered by the Petroleum Industry Act—will ultimately stabilize and lower prices.
To ensure consumer protection, PETROAN announced plans to independently test refined petroleum products, ensuring that only high-quality fuel reaches the Nigerian market.
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