By Sunday Elijah, Lagos
In a heated exchange, Dangote Refinery has called out fuel importers in Nigeria for allegedly undermining local refining efforts with claims of cheaper petrol imports.
The refinery, which sets its Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) prices at N990 per litre for truck deliveries and N960 per litre for shipments, insists that their pricing is competitive and meets international standards.
In a statement, Dangote Refinery’s spokesperson, Anthony Chiejina, responded to accusations from the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and the Petroleum Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), asserting that any imported petrol priced lower than Dangote’s is likely substandard.
Chiejina emphasized that Dangote Refinery’s prices are benchmarked against global rates and aim to support Nigeria’s economy by promoting domestic refining.
“The misinformation being circulated by IPMAN and PETROAN is misleading,” Chiejina stated. “Our prices are competitive and aligned with international benchmarks. Claims of cheaper imported PMS are false and likely involve substandard products that compromise vehicle health and public safety.”
Chiejina also highlighted the lack of regulatory oversight in Nigeria, noting that the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) does not have adequate laboratory facilities to detect substandard imports.
He expressed concern over international trading companies blending and dumping low-quality products in the Nigerian market, which he claims undermine local production efforts.
“Our commitment is to provide high-quality, domestically refined petroleum products,” Chiejina added. “We urge the public to support local refining and disregard the misinformation spread by those who prefer to import poverty and export jobs.”
The controversy has ignited a broader discussion about the sustainability and economic impact of Nigeria’s fuel import policies, highlighting the ongoing struggle between local producers and international importers.
