The Crude Oil Refiners Association of Nigeria (CORAN) has voiced strong opposition to petroleum marketers’ plans to import Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) despite the operational capacity of Dangote Refinery. Publicity Secretary Eche Idoko condemned the move in a recent statement, highlighting the refinery’s role in ensuring local petrol supply.
This response follows reports that 141 million liters of PMS are being transported to Nigeria by oil vessels after the Nigerian Government’s full deregulation of the downstream oil sector.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) announced new price adjustments for petrol, ranging from N950 to N1,019.22 per liter, depending on location. This announcement came after NNPCL trucks successfully lifted petrol from Dangote Refinery, igniting a price controversy between the two entities.
NNPCL claimed it purchased Dangote petrol at a pump price of N898 per liter, a statement contested by the Lagos-based refinery. As dissatisfaction grows among marketers regarding Dangote’s pricing, some are considering importing petrol, raising concerns over quality.
Idoko alleged that imported petrol is often substandard, with some products blended in Malta or Togo before reaching Nigerian shores. “This regime will pay them better than the regime of importing petroleum products, where we receive substandard products,” he asserted.
He also addressed fears that Dangote Refinery might monopolize the market, asserting that these concerns are unfounded, particularly since Dangote has joined CORAN. With the Petroleum Industry Act in place, he assured that regulatory measures prevent monopolistic practices.
Additionally, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has announced that all imported petrol will undergo three tests before being allowed for sale. NMDPRA spokesperson George Ene-Ita emphasized that while marketers with import licenses are permitted to import PMS, quality assurance remains a priority.
Earlier this year, Dangote Group President Aliko Dangote expressed confidence that the commencement of his refinery would effectively eliminate fuel importation in Nigeria, reinforcing the call for a focus on local production over imports.
