One of Nigeria’s downstream giant, Matrix Energy Group, has refuted allegations of importing dirty Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as fuel.
It says petroleum products it imported and supplied meet the specifications set by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON).
Known for its integrity and reputation for the past twenty years of its operations, the company wondered while it could be involved in any unwholesome practice.
Ibrahim Akinola of Corporate Communications cleared the air over widespread reports alleging that the company is one of Nigeria’s major importers of off-spec petroleum products from Malta, as suggested in a recent statement by Aliko Dangote, Chairman of Dangote Industries Limited, which implicated officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, oil traders, and terminals in operating a blending plant in Malta.
Akinola in the statement said, “Matrix Energy has consistently imported products that meet the approved specifications, and we have never been found wanting in this regard.
“Our product quality is reflected in the fact that none of our customers have ever rejected our products; indeed, demand for Matrix products often outstrips available supplies, a testament to our reputation for reliability. This success is equally reflected in our fertilizer businesses,” he said.
The Matrix Energy spokesperson further noted that the company’s depots boast a storage capacity of 150 million liters of liquid products, including LPG and bitumen.
He said, “However, contrary to the claims made in the publication, we did not discharge 200,000 metric tons of PMS into our facility in July 2024.
According to Akinola: “While we have the capacity and customer base to handle such volumes, Matrix Energy has never imported or distributed any substandard cargo in our two decades of operation.
“Our quality test has never been doubted by the regulators and Nigerians who have found a partner in us,” he said.
He explained further that the company like other companies, recently won NNPCL’s tender for its newly introduced Utapate crude oil blend from OML 13.
It will be recalled that similar allegations were made on Oando, which were quickly refuted by the company, stating it did not have any refinery or ever imported petroleum products from Malta.
