The Chairman of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, has called on petroleum marketers, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, to source petrol directly from his refinery to fulfill local demand.
This announcement followed closed-door discussions with President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja.
Dangote confirmed the refinery’s capability to produce over 30 million litres of fuel daily at full capacity.
He also revealed that the facility currently holds 500 million litres in reserve, sufficient to supply the country for more than 12 days without the need for imports.
“We’re more than ready,” Dangote assured State House Correspondents, adding that the refinery’s production capacity could offset Nigeria’s fuel needs significantly.
Addressing concerns over fuel scarcity in various part of the country, he said, “Well, on the streets, one thing that you have to understand is that we are producers. I have a refinery. I’m not in the business of retail. If I’m in the business of retail then you hold me responsible.
“But what I’m saying is that the retailers should please come forward and pick, if they don’t, come forward and pick, what do you want me to do? That’s something that I can do.
“So I am expecting either NNPC or the marketers to stop importing; they should come and pick because we have what they need. And you know, as they move, I will be pumping.
“I don’t know whether you understand what it takes to keep a billion litres inside our tank. It’s costing me money every day. If I can collect the naira, I can charge somebody 32% in interest. So right now, that’s what I’m losing.
“And you are talking about 500 million, you know, I mean, we don’t print money. But the issue is that if they come and collect then you will not see any queues in the filling stations.”
Despite assurances from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited that logistical issues causing fuel scarcity had been resolved, Nigerians continued to face difficulties obtaining Premium Motor Spirit, as many filling stations remained closed some parts of the country.
