The House of Representatives on Thursday called on the Federal Government to direct the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and Dangote Petroleum Refinery to permit independent marketers to lift fuel from the newly established refinery.
This decision followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Oboku Oforji, representing Yenagoa/Opokuma Federal Constituency in Bayelsa State.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that
Oforji highlighted that although the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, commenced operations on September 15, 2024, only major marketers have been granted access to lift fuel from the facility, monopolizing the process.
“The House is concerned that the NNPCL and major marketers are the exclusive off-takers, creating a monopoly and fostering greed,” Oforji said. “NNPCL has struggled to manage Nigeria’s crude oil and refineries for decades, and this monopoly could worsen the suffering of Nigerians due to PMS scarcity, impacting the economy.”
Oforji also noted that representatives of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) are worried they might be forced to import fuel to sustain their operations.
The lawmaker commended the Dangote Group for launching the refinery, which he said marks a step toward Nigeria’s energy self-sufficiency. He emphasized the benefits, including savings on foreign exchange, increased fuel availability, and boosting Nigeria’s GDP through the export of refined products.
However, Oforji insisted that the NNPCL should allow independent marketers to access the refinery’s products, stressing that the current monopoly could have dire economic consequences.
The House also urged Dangote Refinery’s management to collaborate with stakeholders to establish tank farms or depots across the country’s geopolitical zones to improve petroleum distribution.
Meanwhile, Speaker of the House, Tajudeen Abbas, inaugurated a panel led by House Leader Julius Ihonvbere to collaborate with the Senate in investigating the challenges facing the petroleum sector and provide recommendations for solutions. Other committee members include Kelechi Nwogu, Patrick Umoh, and Sada Soli, among others.
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