ODAHIEKWU OGUNDE, Yenagoa
The Movement for the Implementation of Methanol Fuel in the Niger Delta (MIMFND) has praised President Muhammadu Buhari for ordering an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the importation of contaminated fuel into the country.
The group also urged the President to ensure that the outcome of the investigation is not swept under the carpet and that indicted public officials should be heavily punished to act as a deterrent to other criminals lurking around.
The National Coordinator, MIMFND, Comrade Stephen Okenarhe, made the commendation in a statement on Wednesday.
The group, however, recommended that despite the call for the probe of the anomaly, the Federal Government should ensure the proper implementation of the National Policy on Methanol Fuel Production Technology.
It assured President Buhari of their support in his administration’s quest for a methanol-driven economy, urging him not to relent, notwithstanding the challenges that might be encountered.
MIMFND said: “The use of Methanol fuel in Nigeria is anticipated to make significant impact on petroleum products quality enhancement.
“Other anticipated benefits are: additional tax revenue for the government from economic activities attributed to the industry; job creation, increased economic development and empowerment of rural communities; raw materials beneficiation and spin-off industries from increased research and development activities in the industry; energy and environmental benefits.
“It is on record that in January 2021, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and DSV Engineering signed the Final Investment Decision (FID) for the construction of 10,000 tonnes/day methanol production plant by the Brass Fertilizer and Petrochemical Company Ltd (BFPCL), committing equity investment of $670m. The project is estimated to cost about US$3.5bn.
“The above contravenes article 1.3. (structure of programme) of the policy, because the Phase 1 of the policy, which is ‘seeding the market’ is yet to commence. This is a case of ‘putting the cart before the horse’. Why should the Ministry of Petroleum Resources be involved in the improper implementation of the policy? How are they carrying along the general public and relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the policy implementation process aimed at technology acquisition and domestication?
“Are we not making the same mistakes we made in the crude oil sector, where refineries were built without domesticating appropriate and adequate technological knowhow for turnaround maintenance and upgrade? This is why our refineries are currently not functioning.”
The group said that non-functioning of the country’s refineries had necessitated the importation of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), leading to the hardship and pains presently experienced by citizens.
It noted that the development was an embarrassment to Nigeria and a very disturbing situation which must be addressed by the government.
MIMFND further said: “The sad side of this drama is the consistent breach of the provisions of the policy by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), where the Chief Executives of these organisations have recently not minced words in letting Nigerians know that the PMS imported into the country is blended with methanol.
“What is most disturbing, is the fact that the CEO of NMDPRA, Mr. Farouk Ahmed, stated that the component that was in excess was methanol; what we agreed was that for every 200 litres of the affected volume, we need about 800 litres to blend.
“The issue is the quality; it is not toxic. It is not something that can destroy the environment. It is just a matter of its effect on machinery like vehicles. Whereas, the National Policy on Methanol Fuel Production Technology strongly support the setting up of blending plants in Nigeria, for the production of methanol blended fuel.
“The policy is against the importation of methanol blended PMS. Companies interested in the production of methanol blended fuel, should set up their blending plants in Nigeria, and not indulge in importation of methanol blended fuel.”