FG Makes Decision On NNPCL And Dangote’s Fuel Dispute

The President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has officially declared that he would not involve himself in the petrol pricing dispute between NNPCL and Dangote Refinery.

This was disclosed in a brief meeting with the journalists in Abuja. By the special Adviser to the President, Bayo Onanuga.

He stated that there is no need for the president’s intervention. That the decision aligns with the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act, PIA. Which grants the NNPCL autonomy as a limited liability company.

Onanuga emphasized that under the deregulated regime, the market, not the government, dictates fuel prices.

He said: “Dangote Refinery, as a private entity, has every right to sell it’s fuel prices independently.”

“The PMS market is deregulated. Meaning that players like the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and NNPCL are free to operate in accordance with market realities.”

“NNPC is on its own, even though it’s owned by the federal government, the state government and local councils and everything, but it’s operating as a limited liability company.”

“You can see what the private market has said. That I think they find the NNPC or Dangote price too much for them. They will resolve to importing fuel because they clear market at the end of the day.”

“Because it is the consumer who benefits if a price war starts. If NNPC fuel is too much, the public market can go to the market and bring in their own fuel. Then sell at the price that they think is very reasonable and profitable for them.”

“So my answer is that. As far as this is concerned, the government is not dabbling into any controversy.”

Also, he said the president is more focused on the adoption of cheaper alternative fuels. Such as Compressed Natural Gas, CNG.