The Dangote Refinery Raises Concerns Over Substandard Petroleum Products in Nigeria
The Dangote Refinery has recently voiced its concerns regarding the detection of substandard petroleum products being imported into Nigeria. According to Anthony Chiejina, the Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer of the company, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) lacks the necessary laboratory facilities to identify these substandard products, which could potentially undermine local production.
In response to accusations from the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) and the Petroleum Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) claiming that Dangote Refinery is inflating fuel prices, Chiejina emphasized the importance of addressing the misinformation being circulated. He refuted the claims made by these organizations, stating that the prices set by Dangote Refinery are competitive and in line with international benchmarks.
Dangote Refinery has set its prices for Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) at N960 per litre for ship sales and N990 per litre for trucks, which are lower than the rates set by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). Chiejina highlighted the importance of maintaining quality standards and avoiding the importation of substandard products that could harm both consumers and the domestic refining industry in Nigeria.
Expressing concerns over a foreign trading company acquiring a nearby depot to blend and sell potentially substandard products, Dangote called for government protection similar to that provided in the US and Europe to safeguard key industries. The company reaffirmed its commitment to providing affordable, high-quality, domestically refined petroleum products in Nigeria and urged the public to disregard any misinformation spread by those with vested interests.
