Four companies involved in the importation of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), known as petrol, yesterday said they did not test for methanol.

They said the specifications were given to them by the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and did not include testing for the substance.

The consortium of Emadab/Hyde/AY Maikifi blamed its member, Brittania-U, for the adulterated petrol.

But Brittania-U denied importing the toxic petrol.

It said the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited certified the product okay and that its responsibility ended after it  handed over the product.

The consortium said since the toxic fuel was brought into the country by Brittania-U without its knowledge, the company should be made to answer questions.

The companies’ representatives appeared before a House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) investigating the importation of toxic petrol, which resulted in severe product scarcity.

Group Chief Operating Officer of MRS Holdings Amina Maina said based on the specification given to them, it was not the usual practice to test for methanol.

Read Also: PDP demands Minister’s sack over toxic fuel

She said: “It is not in the Nigerian specification to test for methanol. I believe that the specification which we work with was issued by SON.

“It is their prerogative to decide what parameters they want us to check in line with global standards. To your question: is it normal? Yes, unless there is a specific need, you do not test for methanol.”

Maina said the product her company imported “met Nigeria’s specification”.

She added: “On arrival, it was tested by the NNPC inspectors; it met specification.

“Before the vessel was discharged, the normal procedure is that the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) will have their inspectors test and certify before it is discharged.

“And all of that was done and certified okay before the vessel was discharged. We did not bring in any adulterated fuel.

“We have all the load port documents which are basically the certificate of quality at the load port, the certificate of quantity, the bill of laden; all the documents.”

The leader of the consortium, Adebowale Olujimi, said the toxic fuel was imported solely by Brittania-U without the knowledge of other members.

He said since the consortium was awarded the Direct Sales and Direct Purchase (DSDP) contract on June 22, 2021, by the NNPC, the delivery of the petroleum product and crude lifting had been done strictly on a rotational basis by the consortium members.

He said: “Some of the consortium members – Emadeb/Hyde and AY Maikifi engaged a reputable international company for the delivery of all PMS cargoes and prompt loading of crude oil; while Brittania-U chose to engage a different entity for her own supplies.

“Brittania-U also preferred to liaise directly with NNPC and took responsibility for all her transactions without recourse to the other consortium members.

“All evidence to substantiate Brittania-U’s position is attached for reference.

“The other consortium members – Emadeb/Hyde and AY Maikifi have successfully delivered 270,000 Metric Tonnes (MT) of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), while Brittania U delivered 90,000MT PMS.

“The PMS alleged to be methanol-blended was solely delivered by Brittania-U via MT Torm Hilde in January 2022.

“The other consortium members — Emadeb/Hyde and AY Maikifi – were not privy to the arrangements for the delivery of the aforementioned PMS and documentary evidence relating to the PMS.

“It is worthy to mention that Brittania-U should be allowed to provide all answers to the controversy surrounding the importation of the PMS product.”

Chief Executive Officer of Brittania-U, Uju Ifejika, said the PMS imported her company met the specifications given to it and that all necessary tests were conducted.

She said: “We have done DSDP with NNPC for two and a half years, and we have brought in 10 cargoes.

“This is our tenth cargo and none of our cargoes was off-spec. And this particular one was not off-spec.

“Before a cargo will come in, there will be a test at the port of loading, which they did at Antwerp.

“This time, our supplier, Petraco, did their sample at Antwerp and they gave us their sample result which we gave to NNPC, and NNPC confirmed it was okay.

“The second point of the test is when the cargo arrived at offshore Lagos. The vessel tendered ‘Notice of Readiness’ of the vessel (that was) arriving.

“We sent it to NNPC officially and they appointed their inspector and the inspector then appointed his GMO.

“They went offshore to test the product. When they finished testing the product, there was a joint certificate given by GMO – that is NNPC-nominated – and our own.

“You can’t bring in the cargo without NNPC’s inspector jointly carrying out the initial test.

“The next stage was for NNPC, based on the fact that it met their specification; they – not us – nominated five daughter vessels to take from the mother vessel because the Nigerian water cannot take a 30-tonne vessel.

“When they got there, this time around, you were supposed to have the GMO, which is the NNPC inspector, our own inspector and DPR. This they did; they tested and gave us a certificate clearing us that the product met specifications.

“Our product came in 4th of January and the normal legal position is that when you bring in cargo and there is a movement, once the cargo moves from the mother vessel to the daughter vessel, custody is transferred.

“At that point, we do not have legal control over the product – where the product goes and what happens to it from the point of loading.

“We have our certificates from the DPR, PPMC, GMO and our inspector. Without the DPR, which is now NMDPRA, clearing it, you cannot discharge product.”

The Chairman of the committee, Abdullahi Gaiya, said the committee would study all documents obtained from the companies and decide on the next steps.

By Sanni Onogu and Tony Akowe, Abuja

The National Assembly will kick-off voting on amendments to the 1999 Constitution on March 1.

The amendments are contained in a report of the National Assembly Joint Committee on Constitution Review.

The report will today be laid at the upper legislative chamber. It will be presented next Wednesday to lawmakers at the Green Chamber.

It was learnt that the Senate will be voting on 67 bills in the amended Constitution beginning from Tuesday. The House of Representatives will begin voting a day after.

Chairman of the Senate Ad Hoc Committee on Review of the 1999 Constitution and Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege confirmed the development in Abuja yesterday.

He urged members of the committee not to miss a meeting scheduled for 2pm yesterday.

Omo-Agege, who presided over the plenary, said the report of the Constitution Review Committee would be laid today during the plenary after which copies of the document would be shared to the lawmakers.

He urged senators to study the report ahead of consideration and ensure they are present at the plenary to cast their vote on each of the bills as from March 1.

According to him, for some provisions of the report to be considered and voted on, the mandatory two-thirds and four-fifth requirements of the membership of the entire Senate must be met by the chamber.

The House of Representatives will begin the process of voting on the constitutional amendment next Thursday.

House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila also reminded his colleagues of the importance of their presence to cast their vote for the relevant clauses under consideration.

Gbajabiamila said no lawmaker is permitted to embark on oversight or committee assignments on the two days set aside for the constitution amendment process.

The Speaker said: “Honourable members, we will be voting on the first set of Constitution amendment on Wednesday 3rd and Thursday 4th of March, 2022.

“Every member is expected to be on the floor to cast their votes. There will be no committee meetings and no oversight.”

By Okodili Ndidi, Abuja, Emmanuel Badejo and Success Omonijo

Some prominent politicians, including former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso; former National Secretary of defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Buba Galadima; former Chairman of Northern Elders’ Council, Tanko Yakasai, and former Sports Minister Solomon Dalung, on Tuesday launched a new political group, The National Movement (TNM).

They urged world powers to rescue Nigeria from the brinks.

The politicians bemoaned the state of the nation, which they blamed on inept leadership, saying Nigerians need to lend their voices to the struggle to save the country’s democracy.

Kwankwaso, who is the Convener of the group, said Nigerians have been asking for a way out of the current socio-economic and political predicament.

He said: “For too long, Nigerians have been waiting for this moment. For too long, Nigerians have been asking for a way out of our current severe economic and political predicament. For too long, friends of Nigeria at home and abroad have been looking forward to the day Nigeria shall rise again.

“TNM wishes to call upon all countries of the world, especially our neighboring countries in the sub-region, to partner with Nigeria to defeat the raging terrorism and banditry. We hereby call upon all countries that love Nigeria and its people to join us in saving our democracy and rescuing Nigeria from our present quagmire.

Galadima said the country is in shambles, adding that every facet of its national life is in ruins. Dalung apologised to Nigerians for helping in enthroning the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Also, Kwankwaso yesterday spoke on the zoning arrangement in the ruling APC and main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He was guest on a Channels Television evening programme, “Politics Today”.

The ex-governor said APC governors were right for endorsing the zoning of the presidential slot to the South.

At a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja yesterday, the APC governors had said they agreed with the swapping the offices between North and South. By the arrangement, all offices that were occupied by northerners in the last eight years will go to the South, and vice versa.

Kwankwaso said: “The APC has no choice than to zone the presidential slot of the party to the South, as the present occupier is a northerner. It will be unjust for the party to do otherwise.

“I was with the party when it was formed and we agreed then that there should be zoning. So, for me, I am happy that the party has come with this zoning arrangement.”

But he said the PDP could not do likewise because in its 16 years of its reign, the northerners only had two years.

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has agreed to alternate offices between the north and south in the next dispensation.

This was disclosed on Tuesday by the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF) after their meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Disclosing this while responding to a question, Kaduna Governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufa’i dispelled reports of division among APC Governors.

He however admitted there were disagreements over time for the party’s National Convention.

Speaking on the outcome of the meeting, Mallam El-Rufa’i revealed that agreement had been reached on zoning formula.

Explaining the newly agreed arrangements with regards to sharing positions in the party, El-Rufa’i said all offices occupied by northerners in the last eight years will go to the south and vice versa under the new arrangement.

According to him: “We were divided, were divided over the timing of the convention. Okay, there were some Governors that felt that we should put off the convention until we resolve all the congress’ issues in some states, as you know, in some state.

“So, some Governors held the view that we should wait until all these are resolved and this is not borne out of any agenda or selfishness, it is just a realistic proposition to avoid us violating any laws or putting our party structures of elected candidates in danger.

“So yes, there were differences in opinion about timing. Some of us are saying the Constitution allows us to have convention, even if three or four states have issues that are unresolved while others are saying no, let us finish all the reconciliations and we do this convention. After all, there is no time limit for the convention, as long as we do it before the time for the primaries.

“We have agreed a zoning formula for all the six geopolitical zones and essentially, we swapped northern zones will take positions that southern zones had in the last eight years and vice versa. So very simple, equitable and fair formula.

“We will now go back and consult at the zonal level, and look at the positions that are available and the process of the convention preparation will start in earnest.

“So, by the grace of God on the 26th of March, we will have done a national convention. Whether we do zonal convention before that, or do it at the same time, again, the constitution is silent.

“So as our chairman said we can decide either way. But let nobody leave this room with any doubt that the Progressive Governors are united.”

Read Also: BREAKING: APC agrees on zoning for convention, presidency

Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum Atiku Bagudu, revealed Buhari is in favour of consensus to select candidates for party offices.

Also answering questions, he stated: “On Consensus, Mr. President reminded us that we have produced a number of national chairmen by consensus; Baba Akande emerged as the pioneer chairman of the party by consensus; His Excellency John Oyegun emerged by consensus; His Excellency Adams Oshiomhole emerged by consensus.

“So, he is a believer in consensus as one of the options of producing leadership, and he urged us to explore consensus, so that we can generate list.

“While recognising in that many people who have indicated interest are equally competent, but knowing that just one person will occupy the office, consensus is part of our Constitution and urged us to work towards consensus.

At the meeting were Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha and the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari.

Eighteen of the Governors are in attendance at the meeting taking place at the Council Chambers.

They are from Yobe, Ekiti, Ebonyi, Jigawa, Cross River, Kaduna, Lagos, Borno, Niger, Gombe, Osun, Kebbi, Anambra dep, Nasarawa, Kwara, Kano, Imo, Kogi, Ogun, and Plateau states.

The outgoing Anambra Deputy Governor is also in attendance.

The call on Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele to join the 2023 presidential contest heightened yesterday with a pressure group – PUSH lending its voice.

The group, in a statement made available to The Nation, said Emefiele’s candidacy would ensure ‘economic consolidation project’ to life one hundred million Nigerians out poverty in the next couple of years.

Mr. Presley Okojie, who signed the statement in his capacity as PE2023 National Coordinator, said the group comprises of credible Nigerians, with solid grassroots’ connection across the six geopolitical zones.

He said the group has its headquarter in the Niger Delta.

The Okojie statement reads: “At this point in our history, we need a pan-Nigerian, with strong background in economics and versatile local and international connections/ experience, to upscale our steady economic growth and ultimately tackle all forms of insecurity and separatists’ narratives.

“The appointment of Mr. Godwin Emefiele as Governor of the CBN on June 4, 2014 by ex-President Goodluck Ebelle Jonathan and subsequent re-appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari, is a testament of his competence, devoid of ethno – religious and political sentiments, characteristics of the ideal President, Nigeria needs from May 29, 2023.”

Okojie noted that beyond his strong economic background, Emefiele would consolidate on President Buhari’s success in infrastructural development that he has demonstrated through prompt and adequate release of fund by the CBN for the various infrastructural development projects executed by the Buhari administration.

“His (Emefiele’s) experience at initiating and managing economically viable programmes of the Central Bank of Nigeria, such as CBN-MAAN Anchor Borrowers’ Programme, ABP, resulting in the 2021 unveiling of the nation’s first maize pyramid in Katsina and the recent Rice pyramid at Abuja, by the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, RIFAN, speak volumes.

 ”The ranking of Nigeria’s economy as number one in Africa, despite our security challenges, is due largely to Godwin Emefiele’s dynamic policies, in administering the CBN.”

He said the CBN helmsman launched the Tertiary Institutions Entrepreneurship Scheme, TIES, with a charge to beneficiaries to utilize the loans, created the CBN Wheat Programme, targeting $2 billion in FOREX savings and is expected to benefit over 150,000 farmers in 15 states of the federation for a state.

 ”The recently established “100 for 100 PPP loan” policy of the CBN under Emefiele, was introduced to help create jobs and do everything possible to supply foreign cash for the import of plants and machinery.

“The scheme would complement President Muhammadu Buhari’s ambition to create millions of jobs and make loans available at low rates for lengthy periods of time.” he added.

Senator Lekan Balogun will be crowned as the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadan land on March 11, The Nation can authoritatively reveal.

The Nation learnt through credible sources that Governor Seyi Makinde has approved the installation for March 11.