LIVE UPDATES
Local refinery operators have expressed concerns over the recent announcement by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, stating that the Federal Government will continue to import fuel.
They feel that this decision shows the government's bias against local refineries.
The operators, represented by the Crude Oil Refiners Association of Nigeria, are particularly worried about the comments made by the CEO of NMDPRA, Ahmed Farouk, who reportedly referred to locally produced diesel as 'inferior' to imported ones.
Furthermore, the Federal Government, through NMDPRA, has emphasized its intention to continue importing refined petroleum products into Nigeria alongside the production by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
This is to prevent monopoly and ensure energy security. The government has also cautioned against excessive reliance on the $20bn refinery in the Lekki Free Zone in Lagos, stating that the refinery's demand for exclusive product purchase does not promote healthy competition.
In response to these developments, the indigenous crude oil refiners, represented by their umbrella body, have criticized the regulator's stance, stating that it appears to favor imported products over locally refined ones.
The Publicity Secretary of the Crude Oil Refiners Association of Nigeria, Eche Idoko, expressed concern over the CEO of NMDPRA's categorical statements, suggesting bias and undermining his agency's processes when referring to the quality of petroleum products produced by local refineries.
