Bad Fuel: Reps Blow Hot, Probe NNPC,SON, Others …As Buhari Vows To Ensure Accountability

Following the havoc caused by the adulterated fuel in circulation to vehicles and other machines in Nigeria and its attendant economic challenges, the House of Representatives has vowed to investigate the matter, saying that heads will roll.
To this end, the House through a motion by the Chief Whip, Hon. Mohammed Mongunu at yesterday’s plenary, directed the Nigerian National Petroleum Company(NNPC) Limited to immediately suspend the four companies said to be involved in the purchasing and supplying of the bad fuel.
It also asked NNPC to submit the deeds of purchase to the parliament for scrutiny.
The House also mandated its Committee on Petroleum (Downstream) to ascertain the details of purchases of petroleum products made from January till date to ascertain whether they met with the international standards.
The committee will also investigate the roles played by the NNPC limited, Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON), Navy and all other regulatory agencies in the petroleum sector in the supply of the deadly product.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered that producers and providers of consumable products be held accountable for substandard services and products sold by them.
The president order came on the heels of the outcry over the importation of adulterated fuel that has caused damage to car engines.
Buhari, in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, also gave “directives to the relevant government agencies to take every step in line with the laws of the country to ensure the respect and protection of consumers against market abuses and social injustices.”
According to the statement, “In a reaction to the issue of petroleum product shortages linked to the inadvertent supply of products of foreign origin into the Nigerian market, President Buhari said the protection of consumer interests is a priority of the present administration and is ready to take all necessary measures to protect consumers from hazardous products, loss or injuries from the consumption of substandard goods.
“The President directed that in line with the law, service providers must make full disclosure of relevant information with respect to the consumption of their products and that dissatisfied consumers are entitled to a proper redress of their complaints.”