Almost a year after the Dangote Refinery started operations in Nigeria, the country still imports Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) blended in Malta.
Kelvin Ayebaefie Emmanuel, an energy expert and consultant, made the claim recently.
Emmanuel shared numbers to show that between October 2024 and January 29, 2025, more than 4 billion litres of blended fuel have been imported into Nigeria from Malta.
He said;
Explaining further, Emmanuel said that it makes no sense for the NNPCL to still import refined fuel in such quantities when it claims to have two refineries working.
He queried:
He added that the 3.8 billion litres of PMS imported from Malta into Nigeria between October 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024, could be roughly valued at N3.6 trillion. He also alleged that players in the mid and downstream sectors are responsible for much of these imports, while NNPCL is responsible for the rest.
Emmanuel noted that after spending billions on turnaround maintenance of the refineries, the NNPCL is yet to show proof that its refineries are working.
With the Dangote Refinery producing up to 48 million litres, as well as other smaller refineries producing different quantities, the NMDPRA is violating Section 317: 7-9 of the Petroleum Industry Act by allowing imports to continue.
In related news, TimesNow.com.ng reported that Dangote Refinery dragged the NMDPRA, NNPCL and five petroleum marketers to court in a N100 billion suit.
The company prayed the court to halt the issuance of petroleum import licenses, and revoke the licenses of those marketers, in line with the PIA stipulations to support local content.
The marketers insisted in their response that the refinery alone cannot produce sufficient petroleum products for the Nigerian market. The case is still undecided.
Proofreading by James, Ojo Adakole, journalist and copy editor at TimesNow.com.ng.
Source: TimesNow.com.ng
