ISAAC ASABOR
In a swift response to recent allegations, the Dangote Group has issued an official statement refuting claims made by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) that the conglomerate sells petrol to the national oil firm at a rate of N898 per litre.
The press release, dated Monday, firmly denies the assertion, stating that Dangote Group has not entered into any such pricing agreements with the NNPCL for the sale of petrol. According to the group, the claims, which have sparked widespread reactions and raised concerns about fuel pricing in the country, are unfounded and misleading.
“Dangote Refinery has not commenced sales of petrol or any refined products to the NNPCL at any price, let alone the speculated N898 per litre,” the statement read. The company emphasized that discussions regarding potential collaborations with the NNPCL are still ongoing, with no final agreement reached on pricing or other terms.
This clarification follows comments by some officials at the NNPCL, which implied that the oil company was purchasing petrol at exorbitant rates from Dangote, further stoking public concerns over the rising cost of fuel. With fuel subsidy removal already putting significant pressure on Nigerians, the suggestion that fuel prices could soar even higher has sparked considerable debate.
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The Dangote Group’s press release further stressed its commitment to providing affordable energy solutions to Nigerians, noting that its refinery project aims to stabilize and enhance the country’s energy supply once fully operational. The company called on the public and media to avoid spreading misinformation that could cause undue panic.
As the largest single-train refinery in the world, Dangote Refinery is seen as a potential game-changer for Nigeria’s energy sector, with the capacity to significantly reduce the country’s reliance on imported fuel.
Meanwhile, industry experts have called for transparency in fuel pricing and greater clarity on the ongoing negotiations between the NNPCL and Dangote Group to ensure that Nigerians are not unduly burdened with high costs as the country navigates its post-subsidy economy.
NNPCL is yet to respond to Dangote Group’s statement at the time of this report.
