The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority gave assurance on Tuesday that imported fuels had undergone comprehensive quality re-certification.

Coordinator, South-West Region of NMDPRA, Ayo Cardoso, gave the assurance in an interview with journalists in Lagos.

He reacted to claims by some Lagos residents that petrol currently being dispensed in some filling stations burns faster than usual.

The NMDPRA coordinator said, “All imported fuels undergo comprehensive quality recertification and must be within acceptable limits in line with SON/NIS specifications before the vessels are allowed to discharge into our depots.

“The Research Octane Number which indicates the engine performance of all PMS (Petroleum Motor Spirit) imported, is within the specified minimum limit of 91. For PMS bought into the tanks of vehicles, there could be several causes for it to burn faster than usual.

“Low tyre pressure, dirty air filters, overloading, and poor driving habits are just a few of the many reasons why a car’s fuel economy is not efficient.

Some Lagos residents are alleging that PMS being currently dispensed in some filling stations burns faster than usual, compounding their economic hardship.

According to them, whether stored in jerry cans or put in a vehicle tank, the petrol burns faster than usual.

A civil servant, Adenike Ayodele, expressed worry that the petrol quality might have been tampered with.

She also expressed fear that such petrol could be dangerous.

 (NAN)