A civic group, the Centre for Accountability and Transparency (CAAT) has called on the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to launch investigation into Matrix Oil’s alleged importation of blended crude oil, alleging violation of international sanctions on Russian oil.
The centre convener, Okwa Dan while speaking at a press conference, called on the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to arrest and prosecute those involved in the alleged economic sabotage
Matrix Energy Limited and its chief executive officer, Abdulkadir Adisa Aliu, have asked a Federal Capital Territory High Court to stop media houses from publishing stories about its oil importation.
“This effort on the part of Matrix Energy Limited flies in the face of Section 22 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) as it stipulates that ‘The press, radio, television and other agencies of the mass media shall at all times be free to uphold the fundamental objectives contained in this Chapter and uphold the responsibility and accountability of the Government to the people’
“Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution also declared that “every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information without interference”. As Nigerians, we will do all that we have to do to get information about things that affect us as humans and contaminated petrol that causes us economic ruin, and environmental damage and destroys our health is of interest to us to the extent that Matrix Energy Limited cannot curtail.”
The group also called on the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to investigate Matrix Oil for allegedly causing harm to consumers and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) to assess the environmental impact of the tainted oil products.
“We further invite the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to investigate since the fuel has caused harm to consumers in different forms including economic losses occasioned by damaged automobiles and generators.
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) must similarly look into the impact of these tainted oil products on the environment to cause the cessation of further importation of such and to make the culprits behind it pay the relevant fines.”
Meanwhile, days ago, Matrix Energy absolved Abdulkabir Aliu, the company’s founder, from any wrongdoing following a report that the businessman was behind the importation of petroleum products from Malta and Russia.
In a statement on the company’s website, Matrix had said its imported products meet the approved specifications and no customer has rejected them.
“The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) is the sole regulatory body empowered by the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to issue import licenses and enforce the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON) product specifications,” the company had said.
“Matrix Energy has consistently imported products that meet the approved specifications, and we have never been found wanting in this regard.
“Our commitment to quality is reflected in the fact that none of our customers have ever rejected our products; indeed, demand for Matrix products often exceeds our capacity to supply, a testament to our reputation for reliability. This success is equally reflected in our fertiliser businesses.”
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