Emadeb/Hyde, one of the four suppliers alleged to have imported contaminated Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise known as petrol into Nigeria, has denied the allegation.

Recall that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited had accused MRS, Oando, Duke Oil and Emadeb/Hyde, of importing adulterated fuel into the country from Belgium.

NNPC, while noting that the four suppliers have been operating under the Direct-Sale-Direct-Purchase (DSDP), necessary actions would be taken in line with subsisting regulations.

However, Emadeb/Hyde, in a statement made available to The Star on Thursday, said the importation of the contaminated petrol was executed by a member of the consortium, Brittania-U.

It added that Brittania-U had refused to execute the Consortium Agreement with other consortium members, noting that the company’s preference to be solely liable for the supply of petrol under the DSDP arrangement was communicated to NNPC.

It noted that Brittania-U was liable for the supply of petrol through one MT Torm Hilde.

Emadeb/Hyde stated: “We hereby state that the said importation of the contaminated PMS was executed by a member of the consortium, to wit: Brittania-U.

“Therefore, 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.

“Brittania-U Nigeria Limited (Brittania-U) was the sole supplier of the 90,000MT of PMS delivered via MT Torm Hilde with laycan January 2 to 4, 2022.

“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 dated June 2, 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:

“Brittania-U’s preference to perform a sole contract for crude lifting and PMS supply under the DSDP arrangement;

“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;

“Non-acceptance of the nominated international partner agreed by other Consortium members – Emadeb/Hyde/Ay Maikifi; and,

“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.

READ ALSO: MRS, Oando, Duke, Emadeb imported adulterated fuel from Belgium – 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.

The statement continued: “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.

“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.”

Emadeb/Hyde, therefore, denied importing contaminated PMS into the country, noting that the petrol imported in the last five months were certified by the NNPC.

It added: “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 270,000MT of 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.”

TheStar