Oando Plc and Emadeb/Hyde/ Ay maikifi Consortium have denied any complicity in the methanol blended fuel saga currently ravaging the country.
According to Oando plc in a statement denying any involvement in the importation saga, it states: “Following media reports listing Oando as one of four importers that supplied methanol-blended Premium Motor Spirits (PMS) into the country, we hereby state that Oando did not import and supply PMS that was adulterated or substandard.”
“The PMS supplied by Oando met Nigeria’s import specification. We are committed to working assiduously with the NNPC and industry to identify the root cause(s) of the subsequent contamination of the PMS supplied. We want to assure the public that Oando as a responsible corporate citizen would not partake in the importation, distribution, or marketing of substandard petroleum products.”
In the same vein, Emadeb/Hyde/ Ay Maikifi Consortium has denied any complicity but alleged that one member of the consortium, Brittania – U which decided to go solo in the arrangement was the one that imported the fuel.
The consortium, Emadeb/Hyde Aymaikifi in a press statement on Thursday stated that they are referring to the press release of February 9, 2022 by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation(NNPC) on the issue of contaminated Premium Motor Spirit(PMS)with higher concentrates of methanol allegedly imported by Emadeb/Hyde/Ay Maikifi/Brittania-U Consortium.
“We hereby state that the said importation of the contaminated PMS was executed by a member of the consortium, to wit: Brittania-U. Therefore said the blanket claims made against the consortium by the NNPC are misleading and contradict the actual events that happened; they do not fully reflect and/or represent what transpired.”
“ It is important to inform the public of these facts and provide clarifications relating to the delivery of the said contaminated PMS to the country. We also deem it necessary to protect our image as we have invested a lot in building our respective brands in the industry.”
Facts and Findings
1. Brittania-U NigeriaLimited(Brittania-U)was the sole supplier of the 90,000MT of PMS delivered via MT Torm Hilde with laycan January 2 to4,2022.
2. At the formation of the Consortium in May 2021 by NNPC, Brittania-U refused to execute the Service and Consortium Agreement submitted to NNPC in fulfillment of the award of the DSDP Contract. Emadeb as the lead of the Consortium engaged Brittania-U severally and they insisted on dealing with NNPC independently. NNPC was expressly notified about this by the other Consortium members via a letter datedJune2, 2021.
“Further, Brittania-U vehemently refusing to execute the Consortium Agreement with the other Consortium members – EMADEB/HYDE/AY MAIKIFI-was surprising and frustrating to everyone. Brittania-U communicated all her actions to the other Consortium members and NNPC harping on the following points: a) “Brittania-U’s preference to perform a sole contract for Crude lifting and PMS supply under the DSDP arrangement.”
B.) “Brittania-U’s choice to be solely liable under her supplies to NNPC and in the light of which she indemnified the other Consortium members accordingly;
c) Non-acceptance of the nominated international partner agreed by other Consortium members–EMADEB/HYDE/AYMAIKIFI; and,
d) Brittania-U’s unwillingness to co-operate or share information and documents with the other Consortium members in respect of the December 2021 crude cargo allocated to her by NNPC.”
“Following the repeated refusal of Brittania-U to work with the Consortium, Brittania U indemnified the other consortium members– Emadeb/Hyde/Ay Maikifi’’and the resulting agreement was executed by their company on June 16, 2021.
It reads in part: “The Indemnity clause contained in the aforementioned agreement covers Emadeb/Hyde/Ay Maikifi’’ against all damages, losses, costs, expenses (including reasonable legal costs, expenses and attorneys’ fees) and liabilities incident to claims, demands or causes of action brought by or on behalf of any person or entity, which claims, demands or causes of action arise out of, are incident to or result from the performance of or failure to perform the Project.”
“The indemnity also covers Shortages in delivery of products, late deliveries, delivery of off-spec cargo or other wrongful performance of their obligations in the DSDP agreement.”
“EMADEB/HYDE/AYMAIKIFI via a letter dated December 10, 2021, informed NNPC of non-receipt of information from Brittania-U on all correspondence relating to the DSDP crude cargo allocated to them.
We further stated that Brittania U’s action contradicts all efforts to ensure performance on her allotted crude cargo. “
“In view of the notice of the contaminated product, Emadeb/Hyde /AY MAIKIFI immediately notified Brittania-U via a letter dated February 3, 2022, and also expressly informed NNPC of the sole liability of Brittania-U. Based on the substantial evidence provided to NNPC and several declarations by Brittania-U to NNPC, Brittania-U is therefore solely liable for the supply of the PMS via MT Torm Hilde.”
“This is also demonstrated by their unwillingness to be part of the consortium; however, all the other parties were duly indemnified by Brittania-U. The other Consortium members -Emadeb/Hyde /AY MAIKIFI had performed and delivered 270,000MT of PMS in the last five months and they were certified by the NNPC-nominated inspector without any complaint or adverse issues.’Out of the 270,000MTof PMS,90,000MT is currently discharging via MT Fair Seas offshore Lagos.”
“All records showing our performance are available with NNPC for verification and validation. Emadeb/Hyde/AY MAIKIFI will continue to work with NNPC and perform creditably on all our obligations. As reputable companies, we will not associate ourselves with any activity that will be to the detriment of the citizens of the Country. EMADEB/HYDE/AYMAIKIFI believe that these stated positions of ours have demonstrated that we are not the suppliers of the said contaminated PMS. We implore all our customers to continue to patronize all services provided by Emadeb/Hyde and AYMaikif”