The Dangote Refinery has denied claims that it sold premium motor spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) at N898 per litre.
In a press statement issued on Sunday, September 15, 2024, the refinery described the statement by NNPCL spokesperson Olufemi Soneye as “misleading and mischievous.”
The Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer of Dangote Group, Anthony Chiejina, said the statement was an attempt to undermine the major milestone achieved by the refinery in addressing Nigeria’s long-standing energy challenges.
He urged the public to disregard the claim, noting that the Technical Sub-Committee would announce the official petrol pricing from the refinery on Naira-based crude sales to local refineries.
The committee, appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is expected to commence operations on October 1, 2024.
Our current stock of crude was procured in dollars, and we sold the products to NNPCL in dollars, with considerable savings compared to what they are currently importing, Chiejina stated.
He assured Nigerians that this move would result in the availability of petrol across all local governments, even in the most remote areas, as part of efforts to end the nation’s fuel scarcity.
The refinery also emphasised its commitment to providing quality petroleum products and contributing to energy security in Nigeria following years of shortages and instability in the sector.
Further details on the official pricing structure are expected from the government-appointed committee in the coming weeks.
Earlier, Chinedu Ukadike, the National Publicity Secretary of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), had stated that while IPMAN is not opposed to NNPCL being the sole off-taker of Dangote Refinery’s PMS due to its investment in the refinery, direct sales to independent marketers would significantly reduce fuel prices for consumers.
It was earlier reported that Dangote Refinery in Lagos commenced the loading of its first batch of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).