Aviation experts and oil industry players have called on the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority to regulate the number of marketers selling aviation fuel to airlines.

They reckoned that the proliferation of marketers in the industry has been engendering black market sales, a development they say poses great danger for the flying public.

The experts highlighted that only six aviation fuel marketers existed at a time but lamented that the rise in the number to 45 has begun to raise doubts about the quality of the product, advocating stricter regulations to save the industry from impending casualty.

Speaking at a forum organised by CITA Energies over the weekend, the Managing Director of the company, Dr. Thomas Ogungbangbe, lamented that aviation fuel marketers have outnumbered available airlines in the country and appealed to the NCAA to, as a matter of urgency, review the number of marketers operating across Nigerian airports.

His words, “Now, our industry is growing, but we are groaning due to a lack of adequate control. We used to have about six fuel marketers, but now, we have about 45, which is good for the industry, but now, we have a problem with the quality of the product.”

Also expressing his dissatisfaction, the Chairman of Ndano Energy and former Managing Director of Arik Air, Chris Ndulue, lamented the growing aviation fuel black market in Nigeria, insisting that if not quickly tamed, the development may pose a significant threat to aviation safety.

Ndulue stressed that with low entry barriers in the aviation fuel market, small marketers have emerged, and some resort to stealing aviation fuel to sell on the black market.

Ndule insisted on the need for the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority to buckle up on its regulatory framework in scrutinising the entire supply chain, from procurement to delivery of aviation fuel to airlines, to prevent such malpractices.

He underscored the importance of ensuring that marketers operate in a manner that prioritises safety, security, and quality.

He said, “The black market is increasing as we see a multiplicity of small marketers. People jump into the business. We need to ensure the business guarantees safety, security, and quality of aviation fuel. We need to focus on what we can do to provide regulations and guarantee the quality and safety of the products that the airlines are getting.

“Some airports have about 30 fuel marketers. At Enugu airport, for instance, we have about five fuel marketers, which is a high number for the operators at that airport. It is increasingly necessary for people to work together. Though it is quite difficult because of the poor experience of some who collaborated in the past, the truth is that we can’t run away from it.”

Efforts to speak with the spokesperson of the NCAA, Michael Achimugu, were unsuccessful, as he neither picked up his call nor responded to the message on the issue.

Meanwhile, FAAN, in a position paper obtained by our correspondent, promised to enhance the aviation fuel sector, focusing on a few key areas specifically by ensuring only competent players are in the Jet A-1 business.

In the paper, spokesperson of the agency, Henry Agbebire, further encouraged collaboration among marketers to aid the appropriate standards of the product.

His words, “First, we will work with regulators to streamline and accredit fuel marketers, ensuring that only competent and compliant players operate at our airports. This will promote transparency and a level playing field for all. We are also encouraging collaboration among marketers to move from competition for volume to cooperation for quality and sustainability. The market should be guided by shared standards, not fragmented rivalry.

“Finally, FAAN will continue to provide enabling infrastructure from efficient airside access to modern storage facilities while also encouraging innovation, including early exploration of Sustainable Aviation Fuel in partnership with forward-thinking marketers. In essence, FAAN stands ready to be an enabler, facilitator, and partner in ensuring that Nigeria’s aviation fuel ecosystem becomes stronger, cleaner, and more resilient.” (PUNCH)