Matrix Energy Group says its operations are consistently in compliance with set regulatory standards.
Reacting to allegations about the discharge of over 200,000 metric tons of imported off-specification quality of premium motor spirit (PMS), otherwise called petrol, into its depot in July 2024, the company insists all its imported petroleum products have always met the specified quality and standard set by the regulatory authorities – the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON).
Providing more clarification on the issue, the company spokesperson, Ibrahim Akinola, said Matrix Energy has no reason to compromise its over 20 years of operational integrity and business reputation.
Akinola dismissed recent reports attributed to the Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, alleging that Matrix Energy was one of the petroleum products marketers involved in the importation of off-spec fuel from refineries in Malta, saying there were no available evidence to back up such claims.
Dangote had claimed some unnamed officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited were conniving with oil traders, and operators of fuel storage terminals to import off-spec fuel from a blending plant in Malta.
“Matrix Energy has consistently imported products that meet the approved specifications, and we have never been found wanting in this regard,” Akinola said.
“Our products quality always reflected the fact that none of our customers have ever rejected our products. Indeed, the demand for Matrix Energy products often outstrips available supplies, a testament to our solid reputation for quality and reliability, which is equally reflected in our fertiliser businesses,” he added.
Speaking further, the Matrix Energy spokesperson pointed out that the company’s fuel storage depots has capacity to hold about 150 million liters of liquid products, including liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and bitumen.
He said the company’s quality test has never been in doubt by the regulators and consumers, adding that Matrix Energy, like other companies, recently won the NNPCL’s tender for its newly introduced Utapate crude oil blend from OML 13.
“NNPC traditionally tenders its free crude cargos, and any company that wins the tender has an obligation to operate within the law.
Akinola described the company as a people-oriented company that always operates above board and in line with international best practices.
He described the Group Chief Executive Officer of Matrix Group, Abdulkabir Aliu, as a humble, talented and dedicated Nigerian who committed to the development and growth of the country’s economy at all times.
He restated his boss’s statement during his recent presentation before the Senate Committee that the company was not aware of any Nigerian company that has been banned from importing genuine and standard products into the country. Akinola said the selection of the Matrix Energy Group Chairman by President Bola Tinubu to serve on the Economic Coordination Council was in recognition of capacity, experience, dedication to shared values and commitment to the development and growth of the country’s economy.
