Reps Make Case for Independent Marketers to Lift Fuel from Dangote Refinery

Gloria Essien, Abuja

The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to mandate the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Ltd, NNPCL and the Dangote Refinery to allow independent marketers to lift PMS from the Dangote Refinery.

This followed the adoption of a ” Motion Of Urgent Public Importance On The Urgent Need To Allow Independent Marketers To Offtake /lift PMS From The Dangote Petroleum Refinery”, sponsored by Mr. Oboku Abonsizibe Oforji.

The House urged the management of the Dangote Refinery to build, acquire or partner to get Tank Farms or depot across the geo-political zones in the country, to ease the accessibility of petroleum products to the people.

It also mandated the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) to reveal the price it sells crude oil to the Dangote Refinery and also mandate the Dangote Refinery to reveal the price it sells PMS to the NNPCL to ensure transparency.

“Notes that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery began operation in its 650, barrels per day (BPD) integrated refinery on the 15th of September 2024, having the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) as the sole off taker.

“However recently, the Major Marketers have been given access to lift the product by the NNPCL. We must commend the Dangote Group and congratulate Nigerians as this is no mean feat considering the fact that our country has been battling for decades with refining our crude without success.

“Also note that by this feat, Nigeria is driving towards energy self-sufficiency, cost and foreign exchange savings, meeting the increasing demand for fuels, attraction of foreign capital investment, generation of Forex through export of finished product, conservation of foreign exchange and huge value addition that will contribute to increase in Nigeria Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

“Further note that in view of the high demand by millions of Nigerians for PMS, and the ordeal they go through to get it, NNPCL should allow independent marketers to lift the product from the Dangote refinery.

” Cognizant that allowing Independent Marketers, Major Marketers, along with NNPCL to lift from the Dangote Refinery will lead to competition, availability of the product, hence reduction in the price of PMS.

” Worried that NNPCL and the Major Marketers as exclusive off takers, spells monopoly which is tantamount to greed. This is the same NNPCL that has failed to manage our crude and refineries for decades in the past.

” No wonder the late MKO Abiola of blessed memory, in a viral video, some years ago lamented that the NNPCL lacks transparency and accountability.
Disturbed that allowing the NNPCL and Major Marketers to lift PMS from the refinery to the exclusion of Independent Marketers, is not good enough,” the motion said.

It also said that the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria’s (IPMAN) representatives have expressed fears that it may be forced to resort to fuel imports to sustain their businesses.

The motion also noted that if the monopoly is not nipped in the bud, suffering of Nigerians occasioned by the scarcity of PMS will continue and the House knows the implication on the economy.

The House mandated the Committees on Petroleum Resources (Midstream and Downstream) to ensure compliance to the resolutions.