House Urges Wider Access to Dangote Refinery for Fuel Marketers
The House of Representatives on Thursday called on the Federal Government to direct the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and the Dangote Petroleum Refinery to grant independent fuel marketers access to lift products from the newly operational refinery. The resolution came after a motion of urgent public importance was raised by Oboku Oforji, who represents Yenagoa/Opokuma Federal Constituency, BayelsaState.
Oforji noted that while the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, with its capacity to process 650,000 barrels per day, began operations on September 15, 2024, access to lift fuel from the refinery has so far been limited to NNPCL and major marketers. “The House is worried that NNPCL and the major marketers are exclusive off-takers, which spells monopoly and is equivalent to greed,” Oforji said during the debate.
The lawmaker warned that this exclusion could prolong fuel scarcity and deepen Nigeria’s economic woes. “If this monopoly is not nipped in the bud, the suffering of Nigerians caused by the scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit will continue,” he added, referencing the economic implications of restricted fuel distribution. Oforji further praised Dangote Group for its achievement in commencing petroleum refining, hailing the refinery as a potential turning point in Nigeria’s journey to energy self-sufficiency.
The House urged Dangote Refinery to collaborate with stakeholders to build depots and tank farms across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones to improve access to fuel. Additionally, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas announced the formation of a joint committee, led by House Leader Julius Ihonvbere, to investigate the crisis plaguing the petroleum sector and recommend solutions.
As Nigeria inches closer to energy independence, lawmakers stressed that equitable access to fuel distribution is vital to ensuring that the benefits of local refining reach all Nigerians, not just the privileged few.
