Dangote Petrol Must Be Cheaper, Clark Tells Tinubu

Edwin Clark, National Leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that the pricing of petrol from the Dangote Refinery does not impose more hardship on Nigerians.

The elder statesman, who in a statement commended President Tinubu for the roll out of petrol from the refinery owned by Aliko Dangote, Africa’s Richest Man, said the government must ensure regular supply of the product.

The multi-billion refinery had, on September 15, rolled out its first PMS also known as petrol after a short delay, amidst controversy with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL over its retail price to consumers.

The dispute arose after the NNPCL claimed that it purchased petrol from the refinery for N889 per litre. The product, will now be sold for at least N950 per litre at filling stations across the country, the government-controlled oil firm said in a statement on Sunday.

But Dangote retorted saying it has yet to finalise the pricing arrangement with the federal government.

In his advise to the president, Clark said petrol from Dangote Refinery must be cheaper to imported one, since it is produced locally.

The Niger Delta Leader also advised the president to ensure that more modular refineries are allowed to function across the country to ensure availability of the product.

He also commended Dangote for achieving the feat, saying   “Alhaji Dangote’s pioneering spirit and commitment to innovation have once again positioned Nigeria on the global stage,” adding that the refinery”  will boost the Nigerian economy by increasing domestic production and creating thousands of jobs for young people.”

Part of the statement read: “Let me also extend my congratulations to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, under whose leadership this remarkable achievement has been realised. I urge Mr President to continue supporting this commendable effort and all similar projects in the national oil and gas industry. It is especially important that there is regular access to sufficient crude oil to service this 650,000 barrels per day refinery and all other new ones.

“In addition, the pricing regime must not impose further hardship on Nigerians. In many countries, goods that they produce are easily affordable to their citizens. President Tinubu, this should not be different here in Nigeria.

“Let me also remind Mr President that this is also an opportunity to revisit the policy of creating modular refineries in the Niger Delta to complement the Dangote Refinery. This policy of modular refineries was endorsed by the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, with a promise to create a Special Fund.

“On behalf of the people of the South-South geopolitical zone, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations and commendation to Alhaji Aliko Dangote, GCON, on the successful completion of the Dangote Refinery and the rollout of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) on 3 September 2024, with supply to the entire country commencing from 15 October 2024.

“It is clear to all Nigerians that Alhaji Dangote’s pioneering spirit and commitment to innovation have once again positioned Nigeria on the global stage. There is no doubt that this significant milestone will greatly boost the Nigerian economy by increasing domestic production, reducing reliance on imports, and creating thousands of jobs for our young people. If things proceed as expected, the shame and pain of long queues at filling stations will soon become a thing of the past,” Clark said.