The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to direct the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (NNPCL) to permit independent marketers to lift fuel from Dangote Refinery.
This resolution was prompted by a motion from Rep. Oboku Oforji (PDP/Bayelsa) during a Thursday plenary session. Oforji highlighted that since the refinery commenced operations on September 15, producing 650,000 barrels per day, only major marketers have been allowed to lift products, creating a monopolistic situation that could worsen fuel scarcity and economic challenges for Nigerians.
He emphasized the concerns of independent marketers, who fear they may need to resort to fuel imports if excluded from the supply chain. Oforji praised the Dangote Group for advancing Nigeria’s energy self-sufficiency and stressed that allowing broader access to the refinery would enhance foreign exchange generation, conserve resources, and boost the nation’s GDP.
The House also urged Dangote Refinery to establish or partner with stakeholders to create depots across the country’s geopolitical zones to facilitate better distribution.