The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced that the importation of refined petroleum products will continue alongside the production by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery in order to prevent monopoly and ensure energy security.
The government warned against over-dependence on the $20bn refinery located in the Lekki Free Zone in Lagos, emphasizing the need for competition in the market.
In response to allegations of non-supply of crude oil to the Dangote refinery, the House of Representatives has formed an ad-hoc committee to investigate, while the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission has pledged to resolve the crisis and ensure the supply of crude to Dangote refinery and other modular refinery operators.
Additionally, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Authority stated that the government will not cease the importation of petroleum products, citing the need for multiple sources to meet the nation's fuel demand.
Farouk Ahmed, the Chief Executive of NMDPRA, addressed these issues in Port Harcourt, dismissing claims that international oil companies were frustrating the refinery and stating that the Dangote refinery is still at the pre-commissioning stage.