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-PT6KDxM4PZ.jpg "Dangote Refinery")
The House of Representatives, on Thursday, urged the Federal Government to direct the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and the Dangote Petroleum Refinery to allow independent marketers to commence the lifting of fuel from the newly established refinery.
The resolution was reached following the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by the member representing Yenagoa/Opokuma Federal Constituency, Bayelsa State, Oboku Oforji.
Leading the debate, Oforji noted that even though the Dangote Petroleum Refinery began operation in its 650,000 barrels per day integrated refinery on September 15, 2024, only major marketers had been given access to lift products from the refinery by the NNPCL.
He said, “The House is worried that the NNPCL and the major marketers are exclusive off-takers, which constitutes monopoly and is equivalent to greed. This is the same NNPCL that has failed to manage our crude and refineries for decades.
“If this monopoly is not nipped in the bud, the suffering of Nigerians caused by the scarcity of PMS will continue, and we all know the implications for the economy.
“No wonder the late MKO Abiola of blessed memory, in a viral video some years ago, lamented that the NNPCL lacks transparency and accountability.
“The House is disturbed that allowing the NNPCL and major marketers to lift Premium Motor Spirit from the refinery to the exclusion of independent marketers is not good enough.”
According to him, “IPMAN representatives have expressed fears that they may be forced to resort to fuel imports to sustain their businesses.”
The lawmaker commended the parent company, Dangote Group, for the commencement of petroleum refining, adding that with this achievement, the journey to Nigeria’s energy self-sufficiency may have begun.
