The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) has approved licenses for six new companies to import petroleum products into the country.
The Managing Director of Nigeria Mainstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDRA), Farouk Ahmed, made the announcement at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Ahmed also clarified that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) does not have the power to grant approval for Dangote refinery to import petroleum.
Ahmed further stated that there are several companies that applied for fuel importation permits, and anyone interested is welcome to apply.
He also assured that there would be no shortage in fuel supply or distribution as the NNPC has 30 days’ fuel sufficiency.
The House of Representatives recently rejected a motion to suspend the license allegedly granted to Dangote Refinery as the sole importer of Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS or petrol).
The license was called into question by a federal lawmaker (Gali Tijjani), who argued that it should be reviewed to include all petroleum marketers.
The NNPCL, however, denied granting a license to Dangote Refinery, stating that it does not have the authority to do so.
The report also alleged that the imported fuel would be discharged at the Dangote barge and sold at a market-dictated price to marketers while work progresses at the refinery.
However, the NNPCL spokesperson, Onyi Sunday, called the report misleading and emphasized that the company is not a regulatory organization.
The Dangote Oil Refinery was commissioned by the former president, Muhammadu Buhari, on May 22 to commence operations immediately.
