A coalition of civil society organisations has called for the end of importing petroleum products to support the country's local refineries.
Segun Adebayo, the coalition spokesperson, made this appeal on Wednesday during a press conference in Abuja, flanked by other coalition members.
He stated that the "ongoing importation of petroleum products by marketers, despite the operational status of the Dangote Refinery, is an act of sabotage against the Nigerian economy."
The coalition described the current situation in the downstream sector as being driven by a powerful cabal that prioritises profit over the nation's collective well-being. "We are alarmed by a small but influential group that has placed self-interest above the common good, particularly about the importation of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS)," Adebayo asserted.
This latest call comes amid developments in the downstream sector since the Dangote Refinery began operations. The refinery, owned by Aliko Dangote, has faced competition from other market players, including the state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
Despite the availability of products from the Dangote Refinery, pricing has become a contentious issue. Recently, a dispute has emerged between the refinery and the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), whose members have preferred continued imports over sourcing from Dangote Refinery.
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A few days ago, the Dangote Refinery accused marketers of bringing substandard products into the market, asserting that its prices are competitive globally. Anthony Chiejina, the company's Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer, revealed that an international trading company had recently rented a depot facility next to the Dangote Refinery to blend substandard products for market competition against the refinery's higher-quality offerings.
In response, PETROAN has countered that the Dangote Refinery is attempting to monopolise the market.
Currently, petrol prices across the country exceed N1,000 per litre, contributing to inflationary pressures. During the press briefing, Adebayo emphasised that the federal government must protect local refineries and the sector's workforce, noting that "the importation of PMS not only hampers job creation but also stifles the growth potential of industries associated with refining."
He urged President Tinubu to take swift action to prevent deterring other investors from the oil downstream sector. "Investors like Aliko Dangote have made significant strides to establish local refineries, such as the Dangote Refinery, which holds promise for achieving fuel independence. Yet, this plot has worked to undermine such initiatives, obstructing pathways for local investors and hindering economic autonomy in the refining sector."
"We trust that President Tinubu's administration will act decisively to protect Nigeria's economy by holding this cabal accountable and fostering local refining through policies that prioritise the Naira," he concluded.
