DANGOTE REFINERY, LOCAL REFINERS CRITICIZE OIL MARKETERS OVER IMPORTED FUEL

Officials from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, alongside domestic crude oil refiners, have raised concerns over the recent importation of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, by major oil marketers in Nigeria. They argue that some of the imported fuels are of inferior quality compared to the high standards of the Dangote refinery’s output.

In an exclusive report by *The PUNCH* on Wednesday, it was revealed that three major oil marketers are set to receive shipments of imported petrol this week, with an estimated 141 million litres expected to arrive, barring any unforeseen circumstances. The influx of imported fuel comes after the Federal Government fully deregulated the downstream oil sector.

The oil marketers have taken advantage of the recent hike in petrol prices from the Dangote refinery, released by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, to facilitate these imports. However, both the Dangote refinery and the Crude Oil Refiners Association of Nigeria have strongly opposed this move, emphasizing that it will not only increase demand for U.S. dollars but also compromise fuel quality.

“They are importing dirty fuels that are toxic,” an anonymous source from the Dangote refinery stated. The source warned that the continuous importation of substandard fuels poses risks to the country, noting that there is enough high-quality fuel available domestically, but some marketers are more interested in maximizing profits through imports.

Another official at the Dangote plant urged Nigerians to be concerned about the quality of the imported fuel, stating that the blending process of these products raises serious health and environmental concerns.