Allow independent marketers to lift petrol – Reps charge NNPC, Dangote refinery

The House of Representatives, today, urged the federal government to direct the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited and the Dangote 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, reports The PUNCH.

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 have 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 spells 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.

“The House notes that by this achievement, Nigeria is driving towards energy self-sufficiency, cost and foreign exchange savings, meeting the increasing demand for fuels, and attracting foreign capital investment. The generation of foreign exchange through the export of finished products, conservation of foreign exchange, and significant value addition will contribute to an increase in Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product.

“The House further notes that given the high demand by millions of Nigerians for PMS and the ordeal they go through to obtain it, NNPCL should allow independent marketers to lift the product from the Dangote refinery,” he added.

If the prevailing monopoly is not nipped in the bud, Oforji noted that the suffering of Nigerians caused by the scarcity of PMS will continue with disastrous consequences for the economy, and we all know the implications,” he noted.

In a bid to address the concerns, the House urged the management of Dangote Refinery to build, acquire, or partner with stakeholders to establish tank farms or depots across the geopolitical zones in the country to enhance petroleum availability to the people.

Meanwhile, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has inaugurated a panel chaired by House Leader Julius Ihonvbere to serve in a joint committee of the Senate to investigate the crisis bedevilling the petroleum sector and proffer recommendations on the way forward.

Other members of the committee include Kelechi Nwogu (PDP, Rivers), Patrick Umoh (APC, Akwa Ibom), and Sada Soli (APC, Katsina), among others.