INTERIM STATEMENT WITH RESPECT TO IRREGULAR METHANOL QUANTITIES IN PETROL (PMS) DISCOVERED IN THE SUPPLY CHAIN
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:
1. Addressing hardship or difficulties consumers may experience with respect to withdrawal of the implicated products from the market
2. Securing assurance and promoting consumer confidence that supply constrains are addressed and will not persist
3. 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
4. Encourage and promote additional and robust mechanisms to prevent reoccurrence
5. Develop a meaningful and transparent mechanism to address demonstrated injury to affected consumers.
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.
Babatunde Irukera
Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive
