Matrix Energy has absolved Abdulkabir Aliu, the company’s founder, from any wrongdoing following a report that the businessman is behind the importation of petroleum products from Malta and Russia.
In a statement on the company’s website, Matrix 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 said.
“Matrix Energy has consistently imported products that meet the approved specifications, and we have never been found wanting in this regard.
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“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 fertilizer businesses.”
On July 20, while defending his company against the claim of selling substandard products, Dangote alleged that diesel obtained from Matrix Retail showed 2,653 parts per million (ppm) sulphur concentration, while that of TotalEnergies showed 1,829ppm, compared to his which was 87 ppm.
Low-sulphur diesel is below 500 ppm, and is considered cleaner for the environment; while high-sulphur diesel is used for off-road purposes because it causes progressive damage to the engine of machinery.
In Nigeria, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) said 50 ppm sulphur concentration is required by law and adopted by the Economics Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in 2020.
‘We didn’t import 200k tonnes of petrol’
Addressing the allegation of importing 200,000 tonnes of petrol in July, Matrix said the company did not import such volumes even though it has the capacity and customer base.
“Our depots boast a storage capacity of 150 million liters of liquid products, including LPG and bitumen. However, contrary to the claims made in the publication, we did not discharge 200,000 metric tons of PMS into our facility in July 2024,” the company said.
“While we have the capacity and customer base to handle such volumes, Matrix Energy has never imported or distributed any substandard cargo in our two decades of operation. Our quality test has never been doubted by the regulators and Nigerians who have found a partner in us.”
Matrix says aliu has right to trade in any part of the world
The company said Aliu has the right to trade freely in any part of the world.
“Our Chief Executive Officer, Abdulkabir Adisa Aliu, is a talented and dedicated Nigerian with the right to associate freely as well as trade freely in any part of the world,” Matrix said.
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