Dangote Refinery Clarifies Petrol Import Dispute with Nigerian National Petroleum Company
A recent report suggesting that Dangote Refinery has taken the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and other petroleum marketers to court over the import of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) has been debunked by the company. Anthony Chiejina, spokesperson for Dangote Group, stated on Monday that there is no fresh case against the NNPCL and petroleum marketers.
According to Chiejina, the matter in question began in June and led to a court filing on September 6, 2024. However, he explained that the situation has evolved significantly since then, particularly following President Bola Tinubu’s directive on the sales of crude oil and refined products in naira, which was approved by the Federal Executive Council.
"Currently, the parties are in discussion, and we have made tremendous progress in that regard. Events have overtaken this development, and no party has been served with court processes," Chiejina stated. "We have agreed to put a halt to the proceedings, and it’s essential to stress that no orders have been made, and there are no adverse effects on any party."
The Dangote Group spokesperson emphasized that once the matter comes up in January 2025, the company would be in a position to formally withdraw the court case. This clarification comes on the heels of a report that emerged on Monday, claiming that Dangote Refinery had taken the NNPCL and petroleum marketers to court over petrol imports.
It’s worth noting that the price of petrol was increased across filling stations after the NNPCL lifted Dangote Petrol. Furthermore, on October 9, 2024, the NNPCL and other petroleum marketers announced another petrol pump price hike to between N1030 and N1200 per liter nationwide.
With this clarification, it appears that the dispute between Dangote Refinery and the NNPCL has been put on hold, and a resolution may be forthcoming. As the situation continues to unfold, it’s essential to monitor the developments and their potential impact on the Nigerian petroleum market.
