The Crude Oil Refiners Association of Nigeria (CORAN) has expressed opposition to the move by petroleum marketers to import Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) despite the availability of petrol from Dangote Refinery.
Eche Idoko, the Publicity Secretary of CORAN, made this known in a statement condemning the importation plan, following reports that 141 million liters of PMS are currently being transported to Nigeria by oil vessels. This follows the Federal Government’s full deregulation of the downstream oil sector.
Earlier this week, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) announced new petrol prices for its retail outlets across the country, ranging between N950 to N1,019.22 per liter, depending on location.
The price adjustment comes after NNPCL successfully lifted petrol from Dangote Refinery, sparking a price dispute between NNPCL and Dangote Refinery. NNPCL claimed it bought petrol from Dangote at N898 per liter, a figure that was contested by the 650,000-barrels-per-day Lagos-based refinery.
In response to the price disagreement, some petroleum marketers are considering importing PMS, citing dissatisfaction with the pricing regime set by Dangote Refinery.
CORAN, however, criticized the move, raising concerns about the quality of imported fuel. Idoko alleged that some imported petrol was substandard and had been blended in Malta or Togo before being shipped to Nigeria.
Idoko also addressed concerns about Dangote Refinery becoming a monopoly, assuring that the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and regulatory bodies would prevent any monopolistic control.
He noted that Dangote’s membership in CORAN further alleviates those fears.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has declared that any imported petrol will undergo rigorous testing before being allowed for sale in the country.
George Ene-Ita, NMDPRA spokesperson, emphasized that while marketers are free to import PMS, their products must pass three key tests to ensure quality compliance.
Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Group, had previously stated in May 2024 that the commencement of operations at Dangote Refinery would put an end to fuel importation in Nigeria.
