Dangote And Refiners Demand Accountability From Marketers On Imported PMS

Dangote And Refiners Demand Accountability From Marketers On Imported PMS

Domestic crude oil refiners and officials at Dangote Petroleum Refinery have expressed strong opposition to the importation of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, by major oil marketers in Nigeria. They claim that some imported fuels are of inferior quality compared to those produced by Dangote……CONTINUE READING 

Officials from the $20 billion Lekki-based refinery reiterated concerns about the quality of imported fuels, which they described as “dirty” and “toxic.” They highlighted that three major oil marketers are expecting shipments of imported petrol this week, totaling approximately 141 million liters, following the full deregulation of the downstream oil sector by the Federal Government.

The recent increase in petrol prices from the Dangote refinery has created an opening for these imports. In response, Dangote officials and the Crude Oil Refiners Association of Nigeria (CORAN) criticized the marketers, arguing that the importation of low-quality fuels would also escalate the demand for U.S. dollars.

An anonymous source at the Dangote refinery stated, “They are importing substandard fuels, and if allowed, they won’t stop. We have sufficient supply, but these marketers prefer to continue importing.”

Another official emphasized the need for public concern regarding the quality of these imported products, warning that the blending processes used can produce toxic fuels.

CORAN’s Publicity Secretary, Eche Idoko, supported these claims, stating that some substandard fuels are blended abroad, particularly in Malta or Togo. He urged for backward integration and addressed fears that Dangote could monopolize the market, asserting that the Petroleum Industry Act ensures fair competition.

Idoko noted that the focus should now be on exporting refined products rather than importing substandard fuels. He pointed out that marketers faced challenges importing due to the foreign exchange crisis following subsidy removal.

Regarding the quality of imported fuels, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority assured that all PMS would undergo rigorous testing before being allowed for sale in Nigeria. Their spokesperson, George Ene-Ita, confirmed that approved marketers must adhere to testing protocols both at the port and at the origin of the products to ensure they meet quality standards.