NLC President Accuses Government of ‘Policy Somersault’ in NNPC-Dangote Refinery Dispute
The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has criticised the ongoing tensions between the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) and the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, attributing the friction to alleged government policy inconsistency and fraudulent actions by vested interests.
Speaking to journalists at Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal II in Lagos on Wednesday, Ajaero described the conflict as unwarranted, pointing out that a deregulated economy should allow for competition and consumer choice. He condemned attempts to regulate the prices at which Dangote’s refinery should sell its products, asserting that such moves undermine the principles of a free market.
“For a product produced locally, without the need for dollar imports or landing costs, it is fraudulent and unacceptable to demand that Dangote sell at the same price as imported products,” Ajaero said.
He expressed frustration over the government’s approach, suggesting that Nigerians were misled into believing the economy had been deregulated, with the private sector expected to lead the way. “Why are you now trying to regulate how much Dangote should sell his product?” he asked, emphasising that such actions are contradictory to the spirit of deregulation.
Ajaero further argued that when the Port Harcourt refinery becomes operational, both NNPC and Dangote should be allowed to sell their products without interference, giving consumers the benefit of choice. “This is the time for Nigerians to speak up,” he urged, calling for transparency and true competition.
The NLC president’s comments come amidst broader concerns about the government’s role in the oil sector, with accusations that the state’s interference in pricing may distort the market and limit the benefits of deregulation for Nigerian consumers.
