By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals has advised Pinnacle Oil and Gas Limited not to hide under the cover of deregulation to sell off-spec premium motor spirit (PMS), also known as petrol, to Nigerians.
In a statement, the refiner said it was wrong to put profit above the well-being of the nation because the sale of substandard petroleum products threatens the integrity of Nigeria’s energy sector.
Dangote Refinery was reacting to comments attributed to the chief executive of Pinnacle Oil, Mr Robert Dickerman, concerning the importation and blending of petroleum products, which he framed within the context of a “deregulated commodity market.”
“The Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Company has long been an advocate for deregulation and industrialisation in Nigeria, but our support is rooted in a commitment to the sustainable growth of the country’s economy and the protection of its people from any exploitation.
“Unlike Dickerman’s view, deregulation should not be a licence for the importation and distribution of off-spec products or the subversion of national interests,” a part of the statement said.
The company noted that, “It is perplexing that Dickerman, with all his experience in the U.S. market, would advocate for the importation and blending of petroleum products to Nigeria under the claim of deregulation and a free market.”
“The fact is that he had deceitfully approached us and pleaded that we extend the pipeline from our refinery to Pinnacle’s tank farms to blend our high-quality products with their imported products and sell them to Nigerians.
“We categorically rejected his request to extend our pipeline to their tank farms for such devious purposes because it would be a betrayal of the Nigerian people’s trust. The health and safety of Nigerians cannot—and should not—be compromised for profit,” it alleged.
Dangote Refinery also raised concerns over Pinnacle Oil’s decision to lease its tank farms to a company without any retail outlets in Nigeria, questioning the strategic intent behind such actions, particularly given that the farms are located just 500 metres from its refinery.
It expressed its vigilance regarding the coordinated efforts to undermine the Dangote Refinery, drawing parallels to the fate of refineries in Port Harcourt, Kaduna, and Warri.
Dangote Refinery called on the government, patriotic Nigerians, and local businesses to remain steadfast in defending the country’s sovereignty and economic independence.
“The choice we face is between fostering industrialisation or allowing Nigeria to remain a dumping ground for inferior products while exporting jobs.
“For nearly three decades, cartels and their collaborators have sabotaged efforts to develop Nigeria’s refining capacity, keeping the country dependent on imported products. The time has come to end this cycle of exploitation and ensure that Nigeria’s energy sector works for the benefit of its people,” it added.
