Three major oil marketers, AYM Shafa Limited, A. A. Rano Limited, and Matrix Petroleum Services Limited, have filed a counter affidavit against Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals, trying to be the only one allowed to bring in petrol to Nigeria.
The marketers argue that granting Dangote Refinery sole control over the market would destabilize the nation’s energy sector, make petrol more expensive, and exacerbate economic hardship. They contend that Dangote’s refinery cannot meet the daily fuel demands of Nigerians and that competition in fuel imports helps keep prices manageable.
In their joint counter affidavit, labeled FHC/ABJ/CS/1324/2024, the marketers emphasized that Dangote Refinery’s goal to control the oil industry is a “recipe for disaster” for the country. They pointed out that depending only on one company might lead to supply issues and put the nation at risk.
Dangote Refinery had taken legal action against the Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority and the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited, among others, claiming that the regulatory body broke Sections 317(8) and (9) of the Petroleum Industry Act by giving out licenses for importing oil products.
The marketers responded that Dangote Refinery does not produce adequate petroleum products for daily consumption and hasn’t shown proof to the contrary. They believe they should get import licenses because they’ve met all the necessary legal rules.
