Dangote Group has said the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has not commenced lifting of premium motor spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol, from its refinery.
The group in a statement on Thursday, 05 September 2024 made available to Newsmen by Anthony Chiejina, chief branding and communications officer of Dangote Group, said it is yet to conclude its contract with the NNPC.
“We would like to state that NNPC has not commenced lifting of refined Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, from our Dangote petroleum refinery,” the company said.
“Therefore, the issue of fixing the price of petrol lifted from our refinery does not arise, as we are yet to finalise our contract with NNPC.”The statement added.
The Dangote Group emphasised that the petrol market is subject to strict regulation, and as a result, the company does not have the authority to determine, fix, or influence the price of petroleum products. This falls under the jurisdiction of the relevant government. The company is however optimistic and has assured Nigerians of high-quality petroleum products, which will be available across the country.
Recall that Aliko Dangote, chairman of Dangote Industries Limited, officially announced on Tuesday the commencement of petrol production at his refinery.
Dangote, disclosed earlier that the Federal Executive Council was working on a new pricing arrangement for petrol produced from the Dangote Refinery. Dangote while officially unveiling the refined petrol of the 650,000-barrel-per-day facility stated that product will be in filling stations in the next 48 hours as determined by FG.
“It is an arrangement which is designed and approved by the Federal Executive Council led by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“As soon as it is finalised, which he (Tinubu) is pushing, once we finish with NNPC, it can be today, it can be tomorrow, we are ready to roll into the market,” he said.
This development comes several months following the company's initial declaration of its plans to commence production of the commodity.
Ealier in May 18, 2024 Dangote stated that the refinery would begin petrol production in June, emphasising that the country would not have to import the product again, however, production was postponed.
