Allow Independent Marketers Lift Fuel From Dangote – Reps To Nigerian Govt
By Trek Africa Newspaper
The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to order the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Ltd., NNPCL, to allow independent marketers to lift fuel from Dangote Refinery.
This followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance by Rep. Oboku Oforji (PDP-Bayelsa), during plenary on Thursday.
Oforji noted that though the refinery began operation on September 15, producing 650,000 barrels per day, only major marketers had been given access to lift products from the refinery by the NNPCL.
He said the House is worried that NNPCL and the major marketers are exclusive off-takers which spell monopoly.
“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 occasioned by the scarcity of fuel will continue, and we all know the implications on the economy,” he said.
According to him, allowing the NNPCL and major marketers to lift fuel from the refinery to the exclusion of independent marketers was not good enough.
He further stated that representatives of independent marketers under the aegis of IPMAN had expressed fear that members may be forced to resort to fuel imports to sustain their businesses.
He commended the Dangote Group for commencing the refining of petroleum product, adding that with the feat, the journey to Nigeria’s energy self-sufficiency might have begun.
According to him, Nigeria is now driving towards energy self-sufficiency, cost savings, and foreign exchange savings, meeting the increasing demand for fuel and attracting foreign capital investment.
