The Crude Oil Refiners Association of Nigeria (CORAN) has voiced strong opposition to petroleum marketers’ plans to import Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) despite the availability of petrol from Dangote Refinery.
CORAN’s publicity secretary, Eche Idoko, condemned the move in a recent statement, highlighting concerns about the implications for the local refining sector.
His comments follow reports that 141 million liters of PMS are being transported to Nigeria by oil vessels, a development prompted by the recent deregulation of the downstream oil sector by the Federal Government.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) announced a new price list for petrol at its retail outlets after lifting petrol from Dangote Refinery.
Prices are now set between N950 and N1,019.22 per liter, depending on location.
This situation has led to a price controversy between Dangote Refinery and NNPCL, with NNPC asserting it purchased petrol at N898 per liter, a claim that Dangote Refinery has disputed.
In light of the new developments, some petrol marketers, dissatisfied with the pricing from Dangote Refinery, are considering importing petrol.
CORAN responded by alleging that some imported petrol is substandard and has been blended in locations like Malta or Togo.
“So I would assure you this regime will pay them way better than the regime of importing petroleum products, where they sell to us, substandard products blended in Malta or Togo and imported into our country,” Idoko stated.
He called for backward integration, saying some were afraid that Dangote would become a monopoly.
“The fear marketers are having is that Dangote will become a monopoly, but that has been taken care of by Dangote subscribing to our association.
“With the Petroleum Industry Act in place and all the agencies in play, there is no way that Dangote can become a monopoly”, he said.
Earlier, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority had declared that imported petrol would be subjected to three tests before being allowed to be sold across the country.
NMDPRA spokesperson, George Ene-Ita, disclosed this amid petrol import concerns.
He stressed that marketers with import licenses were free to import PMS but noted that the products must be subjected to three major tests by the agency.
The President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote had earlier in May 2024 stated that the commencement of his refinery will end fuel importation in Nigeria.
